Rooster with Tremors

[Eggcessive]

What is your general location? Do you have vet school with a poultry dept in your state where you could send the video for opinions? Tremors is neurological. It can be seen in some baby chickens up to 2 months old with avian encephalomyeopathy (AE) which is sometimes called epidemic tremors. Most chicks die, but survivors don’t usually have the tremors when they have recovered. Is there anything such as a toxin, weed killer, fertilizer, insecticide that he could get into? Does he get along okay besides having the tremors?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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Apologies if the videos are amateurish. Yes my roo has has some sussex- faverolle characteristics mixed black orp.

I think the videos are just fine.

He's a handsome rooster!

Good suggestion about sending the videos to a vet school to see if they have any suggestions!

I'd still try vitamin therapy to see if that helps. I wish I had better ideas for you.

What is your general location? Do you have vet school with a poultry dept in your state where you could send the video for opinions? Tremors is neurological. It can be seen in some baby chickens up to 2 months old with avian encephalomyeopathy (AE) which is sometimes called epidemic tremors. Most chicks die, but survivors don’t usually have the tremors when they have recovered. Is there anything such as a toxin, weed killer, fertilizer, insecticide that he could get into? Does he get along okay besides having the tremors?

 

[Anon112]

Are these episodes getting longer or more severe as time goes on? Or is it like they started one day and now they just happen all the time, but generally the same duration/severity?

 

[Janet Brad]

Are these episodes getting longer or more severe as time goes on? Or is it like they started one day and now they just happen all the time, but generally the same duration/severity?

Sorry for the late reply. It started one day about 3 weeks ago now. They are more apparent in the afternoon. As to severity I am am watching to detect a pattern but it may be worsening I suspect. He walks a bit stiffly when having a bout. He doesnt seem to be bothered.

 

[Janet Brad]

What is your general location? Do you have vet school with a poultry dept in your state where you could send the video for opinions? Tremors is neurological. It can be seen in some baby chickens up to 2 months old with avian encephalomyeopathy (AE) which is sometimes called epidemic tremors. Most chicks die, but survivors don’t usually have the tremors when they have recovered. Is there anything such as a toxin, weed killer, fertilizer, insecticide that he could get into? Does he get along okay besides having the tremors?

Thanks for that information. Sadly I dont trust government organizations these days. Laws have been passed allowing them to destroy your flock if they have any concerns.

He is the only one with this condition. I have a number of chooks eating the same food etc

I have boosted his vitamin intake although he gives his girls all the food I try to feed him. They are doing very well anyway.

He is 8 months old. We dont yse pesticides, fertilizer or weedkiller. Almost completely organic here.

Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[LaFleche]

He is the only one with this condition.

This makes me suspect that he is malnourished/starving himself to feed his hens.

he gives his girls all the food I try to feed him.

See above.

He is 8 months old.

At only eight months old and starving himself to feed his hens, you can grab him from the roost in the evening and take him somewhere far from his hens where he cannot see or hear them, then feed him a good ration of scrambled eggs with fine oatmeal, millet, fresh raw beef liver etc.
Doing this every other evening will help him to recover if his condition is indeed caused by starvation.

Over the years I had several roosters showing the same behaviour and becoming rather weak due to self starvation caused by exaggerated chivalry, but they all bounced back with feeding them separately from their hens.

For the first week or two every other day, then once or twice a week depending on his condition.
You can also weigh him to monitor his recovery and weight gain.

 

[Anon112]

Sorry for the late reply. It started one day about 3 weeks ago now. They are more apparent in the afternoon. As to severity I am am watching to detect a pattern but it may be worsening I suspect. He walks a bit stiffly when having a bout. He doesnt seem to be bothered.

I think the advice about making sure he's eating enough is really interesting.

My first thought would have been a neurological ailment, but in a weird way it would be great if the issue is just that he needs more food. Certainly worth a try!