Rooster squatting, laying to eat & poor balance

[Jmcggnj6]

I have a silkie rooster, not sure of age, (we got him last year at auction) who 2 days ago started acting a little off. Today he has very poor balance, squats almost like trying to poop then falls back on his haunches. When he pecks around at the ground he lays down to do so. When he walks he takes very short unbalanced steps. His crop is full he is still eating and drinking though not with much energy. Does not seem to have any respiratory symptoms or obvious injuries. IDEAS? HELP? RECOMENDED TREATMENTS? Do chickens get constipated?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Jmcggnj6,

Your rooster is obviously ill. It's time to put him into a hospital crate, so that you can better monitor his stools. What do his poops look like? If he is eating enough vegetables/greens, and drinking water, he shouldn't get constipated. There can be some sort of obstruction in the intestines, or the gizzard.

If there is debris in the yard, like screws, nuts, washers, metal shavings, staples, etc., he may have swallowed something undigestable that is making him sick. This is a condition called hardware disease, and is common in livestock.

Symptoms are:

• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration
• Weight loss, Weakness, and lethargy
• Drooping wings.
• Unsteadiness, difficulty walking. Loss of vision.
• Seizures. Death.
• Sometimes, there are no symptoms, just sudden death.

An x-ray is the only way to be sure if there is an obstruction.

Another possibility is an abnormal growth of some kind, such as a tumor.

If you think he may be constipated, feed the rooster some watermelon, which will hydrate him and soften anything that is organic in nature. If it's something that can pass, it will come out within 4 hours. If he refuses the watermelon, you can give him an Epsom Salt flush. Epsom Salt is a laxative, mix 1 tsp. Epsom Salt in 1/2 cup water, add 1 Tablespoon sugar or use apple juice instead of water to make the taste more palatable. Administer some, twice in one day, with an oral syringe. Take care not to get any into the rooster's airway, or he will aspirate. There are videos online that show how to administer liquids, if you don't know how to do it.

However, if after isolating him, you discover that he has diarrhea or loose stools, already, or is pooping blood, I wouldn't give him a laxative. Instead, you should take him to see a vet for an x-ray.

These are my thoughts on your rooster's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

Other members will have advice, please consider them too. Please keep us posted on his progress.

God Bless

 

[dawg53]

Inspect him for external parasites and I'd get him started on Corid if I were you. What does his poop look like?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Jmcggnj6,

This morning you need to check the rooster's crop. It should be empty. Also, do a full exam as, dawg53, suggested. You'll need to check his vent to make sure it isn't caked up with fecal matter. Give him a soak in warm water, and use some gentle dog shampoo, like Hartz Gentle Oatmeal shampoo or Castile Soap, to remove any poop sticking to feathers. Put on a pair of latex gloves, and check to see if he has any poop stuck just inside his vent. Any poop blockages should be gently cleared.

Hope your rooster feels better soon.

God Bless