Rooster unable to stand

[bjm287]

Hello all,
I have a rooster (Speckled Sussex) who isn't really able to stand and is sitting back with his legs stretched forward (sitting upright). When I try to stand him up its like his legs are not strong enough to support him and he falls down again. He can get up and walk a step or two on his own. I have never seen this behavior prior in a chicken. He also does not appear to have lost spirit just cant keep himself up on his feet properly.

For background he came home to me 2 weeks ago. I have kept him quarantined in a bin where he still is with food and water. The bin definitely has enough room as its what I use for any form of chicken rehab. My husband brought him home from my mother in laws property where he was initially intended to be a meat bird, my mother in law had separated him because he was being picked on by the other roosters (they were far older than they should have been for processing). He was free ranging in the orchard and we did notice that occasionally when pecking at a fallen apple he would choose to sit down vs stand but could walk just fine. I didn't notice any decline until Friday evening when finishing up chores.

Yesterday I cleaned out his bin completely to ensure there was no moldy food as he routinely knocks his water over and administered some B-Complex Orally. I did notice some food that was potentially moldy buried in his shavings but I have no way to know if he ate this, and he always had access to dry fresh food.

 

[coach723]

First I would continue the B complex supplement. I would do that daily, see if you get any improvement. It sounds like he was already having an issue before coming to you. Vitamin deficiencies are not uncommon at all, and the b's, riboflavin and thiamine in particular can cause leg weakness, hock sitting, curled toes, and odd neuro muscular symptoms. If you can get it reversed, they are usually good after that. Since he was being picked on, he may not have had good access to feeders where he was before, leading to deficiencies.
If he doesn't improve with regular feedings and supplements, the perhaps other causes. Marek's disease comes to mind, but don't jump to that without ruling other things out first. It does not sound like botulism or mold poisoning, based on your description. I would try to get him out a few times a day if you can, to let him walk around and exercise his legs. He may be happier too. If he cannot stand, you can use a sling for periods to keep him upright and more comfortable, make it easier for him to eat and drink. You do need to supervise that so that he doesn't hurt himself trying to get out of it. Examples below.