Unbalanced rooster!!

[Wil781]

I hate to say it, but with his symptoms and this news of how your neighbor lost a bird (okay one day, couldn't walk the next), you should consider that it might be Marek's. Marek's spreads very easily via dander... for it to spread from a neighbor's property would be very common, sadly. That said, since there is no cure for Marek's, if I were in your shoes I would do some investigation to see if there is anything else -- treatable-- that he might have. If you go to this page and scroll down to "Are there any other diseases that look like Marek's?" and have a read through, see if any of those fit your situation. It might be worthwhile to try some B vitamin therapy, just in case. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-great-big-giant-mareks-disease-faq.66077/

Thank you I will read this article, I'm just not convinced that it is Mareks or a very mild case if there is such a thing or just wishful thinking. He walks a few steps then sits down, and repeats a couple steps then sits but then loses balance occasionally he has been doing this for about a week and a half. He eats and drinks on his own, his color is beautiful red, feathers are nice and glossy, poop is formed, no parasites. So maybe this article will tell me something more thanks again.

 

[Wil781]

In a situation like this, I usually only quarantine if I want to get a good feel for how much they are eating and drinking and how their poop looks, and to give them a break from the heat (or cold in winter). It can also make medication easier. Other than that, everyone else is already exposed so those are the only really reasons to separate if they aren't picking on him or anything.

Thank you, that is what I was thinking, I have been able to tell how much food and water he is taking in which is normal and monitor his poop which is normal. I may give him a couple more days in the cool and to make sure he continues to eat and then return him to his girls.

 

[rebrascora]

Marek's can be as mild and subtle as a droopy eyelid or as dramatic as a bird floundering on it's side unable to stand or even support itself in an upright position. The affliction can disappear as quickly as it appeared or take months to improve or dwindle. It can cause sudden death or leave a bird's immune system suppressed so that it get's coccidiosis or respiratory disease. In short, Marek's can look pretty much like anything, which is why it is so often misdiagnosed.

 

[Wil781]

Marek's can be as mild and subtle as a droopy eyelid or as dramatic as a bird floundering on it's side unable to stand or even support itself in an upright position. The affliction can disappear as quickly as it appeared or take months to improve or dwindle. It can cause sudden death or leave a bird's immune system suppressed so that it get's coccidiosis or respiratory disease. In short, Marek's can look pretty much like anything, which is why it is so often misdiagnosed.

I am certainly perplexed. I have decided to treat him as though it is Mareks. I know that my hens have been exposed so there is more worry. I’m going to keep him separated from hens a little longer to make sure he continues eating and then if all continues as now I will put him back with hens.

 

[Wil781]

Here is my boy 2 weeks after start of symptoms, he seems better, he starts stumbling when he is tired so I am keeping him inside for a couple more days, I don't want to cause any more stress on him by putting him back in heat or is he more stressed by being away from hens? Question after question

I think he looks good his feathers are glossy and comb is red, he is eating good and drinking. He enjoyed being out for a little while today but tires easily.

 

[rebrascora]

Having spells out on the grass in the sunshine has been one of the most beneficial things for my Marek's birds, so I would recommend that you continue with that whenever possible. If he is in a safe environment like a cage with shelter within sight of the girls, I would not worry about him getting tired. If it is baking hot or he is getting stressed at being confined near the girls but not able to get to them, then I would not put him out there. A little bit of tiredness is not a bad thing but stress or anxiety will make him worse.

 

[Wil781]

Having spells out on the grass in the sunshine has been one of the most beneficial things for my Marek's birds, so I would recommend that you continue with that whenever possible. If he is in a safe environment like a cage with shelter within sight of the girls, I would not worry about him getting tired. If it is baking hot or he is getting stressed at being confined near the girls but not able to get to them, then I would not put him out there. A little bit of tiredness is not a bad thing but stress or anxiety will make him worse.

Thank you, I believe exercise would be good for him but was unsure if getting too tired would be stressful. I will start putting him out on sunny mornings in the shade (he is in an extra large dog crate). I think the fresh air would be benificial, and letting him out of the crate when I can be with him. I will update again soon!!

 

[micstrachan]

You’re doing a great job with your little guy. He’s beautiful, too! Please keep ilia posted on his progress.

 

[Wil781]

Having spells out on the grass in the sunshine has been one of the most beneficial things for my Marek's birds, so I would recommend that you continue with that whenever possible. If he is in a safe environment like a cage with shelter within sight of the girls, I would not worry about him getting tired. If it is baking hot or he is getting stressed at being confined near the girls but not able to get to them, then I would not put him out there. A little bit of tiredness is not a bad thing but stress or anxiety will make him worse.

g
I have him spending some time with the hens during the day now, he seems to be much happier. I bring him in at night because he can't get on the roost so I put him in the cage in the evening to spend the night. He still has stumbling especially by the end of the day. I figured since my hens have already been exposed he might as well be out with them. So I guess we just take it one day at a time. My hens are doing well, 3 are laying, still waiting on one to start. Hopefully my girls will escape Mareks or what ever is going on with Rutherford. I am giving them all a couple of drops of Oregano oil on their fermented feed and garlic a couple times a week just trying to keep them as healthy as i can. I will update again soon!

 

[Chickassan]

Good treatment, especially if it isn't as grim as it seems. His symptoms also mimic an ear infection.

g
I have him spending some time with the hens during the day now, he seems to be much happier. I bring him in at night because he can't get on the roost so I put him in the cage in the evening to spend the night. He still has stumbling especially by the end of the day. I figured since my hens have already been exposed he might as well be out with them. So I guess we just take it one day at a time. My hens are doing well, 3 are laying, still waiting on one to start. Hopefully my girls will escape Mareks or what ever is going on with Rutherford. I am giving them all a couple of drops of Oregano oil on their fermented feed and garlic a couple times a week just trying to keep them as healthy as i can. I will update again soon!