Rooster unsteady on his feet?

[Weeg]

Over the last few days, I've been keeping an eye on my rooster's stability. When I let him out of the coop, and through out the day he seems to stumble around on his feet. He rocks back and forth as if he's gonna fall backwards, and if I toss treats out I find that he rocks back and forth as if he was mating a hen, then "sits" down to eat. I see him sitting most of the day as well, and this morning when he came out of the coop he has his wings outstretched as if he was doing the "mating dance". I'll try to get a video, but my internet is really slow so not sure if it will load.
Its very odd behavior, I saw it pop up about 3 days ago, and it has continued, (not sure if it has gotten worse but definitely not better) for 3 days. I fee Kalmbach Flock Maker with OS on the side. I recently switched to Scratch and Peck since Chewy was taking a bit longer to get it here. The behavior popped up before then though. I toss out a few handfuls of mealworms a couple times a week. It's shared between 10 ducks and 5 chickens. Sam, the rooster, is an older boy, probably 9ish I believe? He's such a good boy and takes great care of the flock. Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

 

[3KillerBs]

Have you checked him for bumblefoot?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ment-for-bumblefoot-footpad-dermatitis.76278/

 

[Weeg]

Have you checked him for bumblefoot?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ment-for-bumblefoot-footpad-dermatitis.76278/

Yes, thank you for reminding me to add this in. I have been treating him for bumble foot actually in the last month. I had to carve a good amount of "scab" out of the foot pad, but it was pretty shallow. I checked him again when I first noticed this, and the bumbles have shrank significantly and one is almost gone.

Additional info about his legs-
He is a mixed breed, but his lower legs have always seemed red? I know some breeds have pink legs, but he was supposed to be a RIR/Orpington mix. I felt his ankles and night felt warm or seemed swollen, so I don't think that is the issue. I'll get photos of his lower legs in a moment.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, thank you for reminding me to add this in. I have been treating him for bumble foot actually in the last month. I had to carve a good amount of "scab" out of the foot pad, but it was pretty shallow. I checked him again when I first noticed this, and the bumbles have shrank significantly and one is almost gone.

Additional info about his legs-
He is a mixed breed, but his lower legs have always seemed red? I know some breeds have pink legs, but he was supposed to be a RIR/Orpington mix. I felt his ankles and night felt warm or seemed swollen, so I don't think that is the issue. I'll get photos of his lower legs in a moment.

You probably want to put this on the emergencies/diseases/illness section of the forums.

 

[Weeg]

You probably want to put this on the emergencies/diseases/illness section of the forums.

Alright, I'll see if I can get it moved. Thank you.

 

[LaFleche]

Did you already check him and the coop for red poultry mites? It's the time of the year and they really can suck the life out of a bird in just a few days.

When did you last deworm him?

 

[Chickies_Chic]

Over the last few days, I've been keeping an eye on my rooster's stability. When I let him out of the coop, and through out the day he seems to stumble around on his feet. He rocks back and forth as if he's gonna fall backwards, and if I toss treats out I find that he rocks back and forth as if he was mating a hen, then "sits" down to eat. I see him sitting most of the day as well, and this morning when he came out of the coop he has his wings outstretched as if he was doing the "mating dance". I'll try to get a video, but my internet is really slow so not sure if it will load.
Its very odd behavior, I saw it pop up about 3 days ago, and it has continued, (not sure if it has gotten worse but definitely not better) for 3 days. I fee Kalmbach Flock Maker with OS on the side. I recently switched to Scratch and Peck since Chewy was taking a bit longer to get it here. The behavior popped up before then though. I toss out a few handfuls of mealworms a couple times a week. It's shared between 10 ducks and 5 chickens. Sam, the rooster, is an older boy, probably 9ish I believe? He's such a good boy and takes great care of the flock. Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

Over the last few days, I've been keeping an eye on my rooster's stability. When I let him out of the coop, and through out the day he seems to stumble around on his feet. He rocks back and forth as if he's gonna fall backwards, and if I toss treats out I find that he rocks back and forth as if he was mating a hen, then "sits" down to eat. I see him sitting most of the day as well, and this morning when he came out of the coop he has his wings outstretched as if he was doing the "mating dance". I'll try to get a video, but my internet is really slow so not sure if it will load.
Its very odd behavior, I saw it pop up about 3 days ago, and it has continued, (not sure if it has gotten worse but definitely not better) for 3 days. I fee Kalmbach Flock Maker with OS on the side. I recently switched to Scratch and Peck since Chewy was taking a bit longer to get it here. The behavior popped up before then though. I toss out a few handfuls of mealworms a couple times a week. It's shared between 10 ducks and 5 chickens. Sam, the rooster, is an older boy, probably 9ish I believe? He's such a good boy and takes great care of the flock. Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

Following! I have a rooster with similar situation. Can’t raise one of his wings also…

 

[Weeg]

Did you already check him and the coop for red poultry mites? It's the time of the year and they really can suck the life out of a bird in just a few days.

When did you last deworm him?

This, could very well be the problem. I did battle lice with them this Spring, so mites wouldn't be a surprise. I'll check them tonight when I go out to close the coop up.

I don't deworm regularly, instead deworm when I find theres a problem. So in that case I've never had to deworm them. I'll keep an eye on poops and see if I see anything.

 

[LaFleche]

This, could very well be the problem. I did battle lice with them this Spring, so mites wouldn't be a surprise. I'll check them tonight when I go out to close the coop up.

I don't deworm regularly, instead deworm when I find theres a problem. So in that case I've never had to deworm them. I'll keep an eye on poops and see if I see anything.

You could also wrap some double-sided adhesive tape around the ends of the roosts, just where they meet the coop walls. If there are mites, they will stick to the tape on their way to their meal, and if they are already done and on their way back into the crevices, those will stick as well to the tape..

 

[Weeg]

You could also wrap some double-sided adhesive tape around the ends of the roosts, just where they meet the coop walls. If there are mites, they will stick to the tape on their way to their meal, and if they are already done and on their way back into the crevices, those will stick as well to the tape..

Awesome! I'll do this to! Thank you!