- Oct 2, 2016
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I have a 22-24 week old Golden Sex-Link Rooster (that is if TS gave me the correct breed). He doesn't weigh a pound yet. Last time I weighed him he was about .8lbs. He struggles to walk and I had noticed just before we put him and the others his age into the grow out area in the coop to also get adjusted to the big girls, that his breast bone was curved. A rock flys better than he does and he has no strength in his legs to catch himself when he falls (like off the roost). About the time he was 3-4 weeks old he would walk around but kinda plunk himself down as if exhausted and then just sit there and eat and eat and drink and drink (was eating chick crumble I got from my local feed store most of the time, sometimes the Dumor chick crumble). His 3 sisters are all normal. Laying eggs, running around, and good sized hens. I got all 4 of them at the same time from the same batch of chicks. Poop all looks normal, his comb is dark red but starting to look a little pale or at least dry. I don't have the money to take him to the vet for a thorough exam etc, but at this point I am mainly looking for information. I put electrolytes and apple cider vinegar in their water (usually alternate which waterer has which added and always a straight water one available as well). When I first noticed the issues I tried googling and was left with results for two different issues - birth defect for his stunted growth and an injury/mishandling for the curved breast bone. Now as I do my research I am finding that it may all be one issue, tibial dyschondroplasia. His joint right above his leg where it joins the fluffy feathered bit, is all gnarly and very much look like too much cartilage. He waddle/suffles, so I called him Ducky. He generally makes his way out of the coop and under something to stay out of the way of the others and in the shade. He's got a good appetite and drinks his water. He is starting to have more problems with his right leg. The curved breast bone is making his toes overlap when he walks. I am working at getting him comfortable with a non-roost bed for the nights, but he wants to be with his friends even though he often gets knocked off the roost and lands on the floor. I've made a bit of a sling for him and the first attempt he hated and was able to jump out of (he uses his face/wings to get around if his legs give up) and the second attempt was just self adhesive bandages that I pulled off a yard of and made him leg holes and a chest strap and he liked it but I'm not finding anything that gives me hope of how to help him. I am not interested in culling him at this point because he DOES get around and doesn't seem to be in too much pain/discomfort. He can't be a house chicken (I have 4 cats and don't trust them with him). Has anyone had any experience with this?
