Sick Rooster... please help... can't walk

[Chickiemom1012]

I have a 5mo bantam rooster. Let the birds out this morn to free range, and he cann't walk straight. He is all wobbly and act like he's drunk??? He was fine yesterday, and as the day went on he is getting worse, he's now having a hard time standing. I had a hen with the same prob about a month ago and we had to put her down. He is still alert and eating if I put food in front of him.

He eats grower crumble, some scrath grains here and there for a snack. they get to free range almost daily, and some table sracp snacks, friut veggies. Not sure what is up but would hate to have to put him down also. Any advice?????

 

[usschicago1]

Does his breath smell?
Does he have any nasal discharge
watch him and see if hes sneezing...

Sounds like he has MG as Paralysis is a Symptom. Happened recently to my grandfather's bantam Cochin and we though it broke its leg. it died 3 weeks later. For now until you can confirm and answer these questions i would separate him away from all chickens with dry bedding food and maybe add some vitamins and minerals nutri drench because another possibility is vitamin mineral deficiency.

 

[Chickiemom1012]

His breath does not smell, he was sneezing several weeks agon when the other hen became sick, but he seemed fine. There is no discharge coming from his nose. What is MG???? Sorry new to the chicken scene, only 6mo. or so... OUr neighbor who is a vet but does not regularly treat chickens took a look at him and gave a vitamin/mineral supplement. I put two of the capsules over soem crumble and added water. He has eaten some of that but is content sitting in the bottom of our shelf on the porch....

 

[usschicago1]

We are having this problem too at my grandfather's house. So Far my flock is MG free. Is Your flock hatchery birds by any chance?

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/disea...ction-mg-chronic-respiratory-disease-chickens

This link has a lot of information on it for starters.

If it is not too far along in the process of this Virus i believe it is you can use terramycin to clear it up. Any one who wants to correct me this is what the NPIP told me

If it is far along i would cull it.
Either way i would separate it and treat your entire flock. You cant eat the eggs for 2 weeks i think.

Now I'm not saying it is MG as i havent seen it. But it sound like it to me and would do that.

One good thing about MG is it doesn't kill as fast as other poultry diseases but you should still act fast.

 

[Chickiemom1012]

My flock is from a private farm. A lady who breeds mostly bantams and silkies, some turkins. I thought I was doing so well by getting them from a private party not having to have them shipped, and risk them dying etc.... I have had nothing but problems. I lost one to a crop issue, had surgery on another one's crop. Now this is the second one with possible MG???? The other one we had put down. I guess I am just discouraged. I know that there will always be some health issues here and ther but it seems like everytime I turn around another one is sick. I only have 9 birds!!!!

Sorry for my rant. I will read the thread and contact my vet on MOn and ask about the antibiotic.... do I give the same stuff to the whole flock

 

[usschicago1]

Yes
You can buy it at your feedstore