Rooster with injured leg. Please advise

[mbcaring]

Yesterday I noticed him limping. Upon a through investigation I find nothing. He is eating and drinking but just kind of lays around. Any advice on things to look for or what it could be. Thank you in advance.

 

[BantamLover21]

To help me get a better idea of what could be wrong, please answer these questions:

• How old is he?
• Do you know if he was vaccinated for Marek's disease as a chick?
• Do both legs seem to be affected, or just one?
• What are you feeding him?

It is possible that he simply strained his leg by jumping down from a roost, fighting, etc. If that is the case, then it should heal if given time and rest in a well-bedded area. If he's relatively young, then Marek's disease comes to mind--unfortunately, that disease is untreatable. A vitamin deficiency is also a possibility.

 

[Wyandottes7]

How old is he? He could have sprained/strained the leg, or he may have Marek's Disease. I'd isolate him from the other birds, if you haven't already. Keep him in a well-bedded area, with easy access to feed and water. Give vitamins and electrolytes for energy. In time, he should heal if it is a leg injury.

If it's Marek's, the prognosis isn't as good. Birds with Marek's will almost always become completely paralyzed, resulting in death. Here is a good link to read about Marek's Disease: The Great Big Giant Marek's Disease FAQ - BackYard Chickens Community It may or may not be this; it's just a possiblity.

 

[mbcaring]

He is 6-7 months. He eats a natural grain blend plus he is free range. He did not get vaccinated. And it's only 1 leg. Hope that helps. I'll be quarantining him now. How would I know if it's a break or a sprain. When I checked him I didn't notice any obvious breaks or swelling. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

He is 6-7 months. He eats a natural grain blend plus he is free range. He did not get vaccinated. And it's only 1 leg. Hope that helps. I'll be quarantining him now. How would I know if it's a break or a sprain. When I checked him I didn't notice any obvious breaks or swelling. Thank you!

I've not seen a break, but the leg should be pretty swollen and bruised. Sprains are very common, from rooster horseplay to jumping down from roosts to high. He doesn't necessarily need quarantine, but I would cage him with food and water in the coop with the others for 1-2 weeks to rest the leg. Put a vitamin B Complex tablet crushed or dissolved in his food or water every day. Examine his footpad for bumblefoot (reddened swollen foot pad with a black dot,) look for swelling of the joints of the leg up to the hip, and feel for any displacement of the leg bones. My one experience with a hen who had a bad sprain lasted about a month or more with her limping and holding up the sore leg.