silkie rooster isn't able to walk and flops around possible heat strok

[sunshinegirl620]

i have a 7 month old silkie rooster that as of yesterday morning could not use his right leg. It just stayed extended before him and he'd try to hobble around with the other leg working. By last evening, he was just laying and i thought I was gonna loose him. He couldn't use either leg and just flopped around. It has been Very Hot here in southwest KS 100-110 degrees over that last 2 weeks, and I being a new chick owner have not known how to keep these chickens cool. They are 5 in a chicken tractor with a 24 sf. run. I brought the chicken inside to get cooled down and kept offering water, which he would drink some and then would just lay there or flop. I put him back in the tractor for the night cause it had cooled down and thought he'd be dead this morning cause of how he lays there. Well, he's still flopping and I need some advice! I have kept giving him water and offered some food but he only excepts water. He's still laying there this afternoon sometimes he holds his head up and sometimes he's totally layed out. can't seem to use either leg, it's like they have no muscle. Is it how a heat stroke would act? Thanks for any help!

 

[kelar]

Consider the possibility of Marek's Disease if he does not recover after being hydrated and cooled off. Give him electrolytes, like pedialyte and supportive care and see if he improves.

 

[nancypo]

And I'd keep him inside for several days or more...

 

[Elite Silkies]

I had one have a heat stroke because the older rooster ran him in the coop and wouldn't let him come back out. I brought him inside and he recovered within a couple of hours. With your's not being able to use his legs, I would also consider Marek's. Mine never showed any loss of limb functions, just a wobbly head like he was dazed and panting excessively. Mine only drank water for about an hour then started eating again.

I don't think your bird has had a heat stroke. I would not leave him in with the others, if it is Marek's it is contagious and other's could get it.

 

[sunshinegirl620]

Thanks, I will have to learn more about marek. All of the other chickens are doing fine, so far, but I will move him on out!

 

[chkn]

I suppose it could be botulism because it causes increasing paralysis. You could look up the molasses flush. You better move quickly though.

 

[sunshinegirl620]

After searching just a bit on bolutism, I don't think it's what the chicken has, I might be wrong, since I"m such a newbie. But this afternoon I took him out the the run and put him in a bit cooler place, and gave him some polyvisol in some water and he drank that really well. His symptoms do follow more of the merak disease, lays to one side, one foot curled, the other way extended and still cant use either of them, he hasn't eatin that I can tell. If that one herb "h.......?" from the health food store, im willing to try it.

 

[Kitty Cat]

Look at my post for Tube feeding. There is advice on Marek's which sounds like that's what your rooster has. It also gives instructions on how to tube feed which is what you'll need to do. He isn't able to walk and therefore feed himself. I'd give him a vitamin c tablet as well. Just dissolve it in water and then give it via tube, I'd give him a full syringe twice a day every other day.

 

[sunshinegirl620]

Thanks, Kitty Cat! I am gonna head to town in the morning to get the required items!

 

[drumstick diva]

Also get polyvisol infant vitamin drops (NO IRON) - very good for any ailing chick. Walmart has them or probably any drug store.