Rooster with curled toe paralysis?

[mikayj]

Hi everyone! We have a bantam rooster that just started walking funny a couple of days ago. One of his feet now has curled toes, therefore he is walking on his ankle. He gets around ok, it doesn't seem to be getting worse (yet), and he's able to use both of his wings. He shares a coop with 4 bantam ladies and has been eating what they eat - layer crumbles. He's about 4 or 5 months old and we've had him for 7 weeks. Other than his foot, he acts fine. He's crowing, eating, drinking, scratching around, etc. I gave him Rooster Booster 2 days ago and 1/4 of a vitamin B complex pill yesterday. My question is, is there anything else I can do? Should I splint his foot so that it's flat, in it's normal anatomical position? Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

Was he vaccinated for Marek's?

 

[mikayj]

Was he vaccinated for Marek's?

I don't think so, but he was 3 months old when we got him so I'm not 100% sure. I've considered Mareks but am treating for a vitamim B2 deficiency

 

[casportpony]

I don't think so, but he was 3 months old when we got him so I'm not 100% sure. I've considered Mareks but am treating for a vitamim B2 deficiency

Okay good, I think that's all you can do really.

 

[mikayj]

Okay good, I think that's all you can do really.

Do you know how long I should continue the vitamin therapy? Or if it would be beneficial to splint his foot? Thanks for your replies

 

[casportpony]

I think splinting the foot might be more uncomfortable for him, but you could try and see if it helps him get around. Unfortunately, since he presented with lameness that progressed to curly toes, it is probably Marek's. Maybe try vitamin therapy to a couple of weeks and reevaluate then.

 

[mikayj]

I think splinting the foot might be more uncomfortable for him, but you could try and see if it helps him get around. Unfortunately, since he presented with lameness that progressed to curly toes, it is probably Marek's. Maybe try vitamin therapy to a couple of weeks and reevaluate then.

He was absolutely fine the day before - that night when I locked him up I noticed he was walking on his curled toes when he jumped down from the roost but it hasn't progressed to more than that. He's still in with the other birds (they've already been exposed if it is Mareks), but we'll cull if there's no improvement.

 

[casportpony]

Good luck and keep me posted.

 

[Granitestater]

I have no input re: his foot but have read that roosters shoukd not have layer feed because it damages their kidneys. They require kess calcium. Best of luck w your little gentleman

 

[mikayj]

I have no input re: his foot but have read that roosters shoukd not have layer feed because it damages their kidneys. They require kess calcium. Best of luck w your little gentleman

Thank you!