Rooster with weird head bobble thing

[tjs22]

I just got a little banty rooster who is at least a year old. I immediately noticed he is consistently doing a head shake or a sideways figure 8 motion with his head. It almost looks involuntary. He came from a cow farm, they don't feed them properly and the chickens kinda just fend for themselves. His comb is also pecked up pretty good. He is in isolation in a dark quiet spot with food and water currently. I notice him standing still often with eyes closed. And he's just slow moving. I noticed one of his wattles is swollen, feels fluid filled possibly of pecking?

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)
~Banty roo, 1 yr old, feels light a bit skinny perhaps
2) What is the behavior, exactly.
~head is circling in a sideways figure 8 motion every few minutes, sitting still with eyes closed periodically, not real active
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?
~since I got him 3 days ago, seems to be getting worse
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?
~no
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.
~pecking on combs and wattles, he is in his own area now
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.
~no idea
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.
~very little
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.
~haven't seen any poo yet, will check next time I go out
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?
~none
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?
~self treat
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
~hay, he is in a good sized coop by himself till he is better

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I see that in roosters whenever their combs or wattles are damaged. Most times frostbite damage, sometimes fighting damage. It should go away as the tissue heals. He's basically trying to shake off the discomfort.

 

[tjs22]

I see that in roosters whenever their combs or wattles are damaged. Most times frostbite damage, sometimes fighting damage. It should go away as the tissue heals. He's basically trying to shake off the discomfort.

Thank you so much!!!

 

[tjs22]

Update-rooster is most likely dying. Need not eating at. He is puffed up with eyes closed and falls over when standing. Surely something else is going on besides pecking? Any ideas?

 

[tjs22]

Just wanted to add that his poo is white. Like sheet rock mud same consistency I would say. Just a small amount. His comb and wattles are turning black.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Does not sound good for him. The white part of a chickens poops is the equivalent of urine, so his poop is showing that he isn't eating. I'm not sure what you could do for him with such a shady past.

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive are much better at treatments.

 

[tjs22]

I gave him some scrambled eggs and to my surprise he took a few bites. Then closed his eyes again. I would be shocked if he pulled through.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Going to a new home is stressful and can bring out illnesses. Hopefully someone else will recommend something. I know there's a product called VetRx people recommend but I not sure. I would say keep him warm and quiet, and feed him eggs if he's interested, they are full of nutrients.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

head is circling in a sideways figure 8 motion every few minutes, sitting still with eyes closed periodically, not real active

since I got him 3 days ago, seems to be getting worse

rooster is most likely dying. Need not eating at. He is puffed up with eyes closed and falls over when standing.

Just wanted to add that his poo is white. Like sheet rock mud same consistency I would say. Just a small amount. His comb and wattles are turning black.

Can you post some photos of him and the poop? (comb, swollen wattle, whole chicken, load us up with photos)

I'm sorry that he is not doing well. Was he acting o.k. before you got him 3days ago?
Feel of his crop - is it full, hard, soft, squishy, doughy, empty, flat?
This would not necessarily be the cause of his behavior, but have you checked him for external parasites? Look inside his ears too.

The head motion - you mention that it seems involuntary, a video of that would be good, but head/neck motions can be adjusting the crop or neurological. Since he is falling over while standing, I do wonder about Marek's disease.

A comb/wattle turning black makes me think he is having oxygen troubles - does he have any other injuries at all - pecking wounds to the comb/wattles would leave some scabs, but to me, would not cause this type of behavior unless he has more injury wounds somewhere else on the body - check his whole body under the feathers, was he possibly attacked?

Getting a fecal float is always a good idea to rule out worms.

The only thing I can suggest at this point would be to get him hydrated-getting him drinking is the first order of business. Electrolytes or poultry vitamins like Nutri-Drench/Rooster Booster would be good. Once he is drinking very well, then offer him more egg or some wet chicken feed.

There are so many things that can affect chickens, sometimes it's a process of elimination with symptoms. I do recommend that you keep him quarantined for at least 3wks or if he does not improve see if you can take him back or consider culling him. I know this sounds harsh, but starting out with a sick chicken is not an ideal situation to be in.

Look forward to the photos, hopefully we can give you more suggestions.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Can you post some photos of him and the poop? (comb, swollen wattle, whole chicken, load us up with photos)

I'm sorry that he is not doing well. Was he acting o.k. before you got him 3days ago?
Feel of his crop - is it full, hard, soft, squishy, doughy, empty, flat?
This would not necessarily be the cause of his behavior, but have you check him for external parasites? Look inside his ears too.

The head motion - you mention that it seems involuntary, a video of that would be good, but head/neck motions can be adjusting the crop or neurological. Since he is falling over while standing, I do wonder about Marek's disease.

A comb/wattle turning black makes me think he is having oxygen troubles - does he have any other injuries at all - pecking wounds to the comb/wattles would leave some scabs, but to me, would not cause this type of behavior unless he has more injury wounds somewhere else on the body - check his whole body under the feathers, was he possibly attacked?

Getting a fecal float is always a good idea to rule out worms.

The only thing I can suggest at this point would be to get him hydrated-getting him drinking is the first order of business. Electrolytes or poultry vitamins like Nutri-Drench/Rooster Booster would be good. Once he is drinking very well, then offer him more egg or some wet chicken feed.

There are so many things that can affect chickens, sometimes it's a process of elimination with symptoms. I do recommend that you keep him quarantined for at least 3wks or if he does not improve see if you can take him back or consider culling him. I know this sounds harsh, but starting out with a sick chicken is not an ideal situation to be in.

Look forward to the photos, hopefully we can give you more suggestions.

Thank you.