UPDATE Diagnosis? Slipped tendon? Osteopetrosis? Botulism?

[Meara]

I have a mixed breed bantam cockerel approximately 5.5 months old who has an issue with his legs, walking, and balance. This has been an ongoing problem for at least a month now. His legs seem weak and he is not steady on his feet. When he walks he frequently steps on his other foot or wobbles. Otherwise he is fine, eats and drinks ok, roosts ok. He's alert and responsive. I don't see any abscesses or sign of scaly mites (as far as I can tell). None of the other chickens he's in with have any issues. I have nine of his siblings all from the same hatch and they are all fine.

I've been pouring over my Chicken Health Handbook trying to sort this out, but I'm feeling overwhelmed.

He is the smallest of his hatch group and has been slow developing and kinda stunted/runty. He almost looks more like a hen than a roo. He does crow but has never shown any interest in the hens, but that could be because he's at the bottom of the pecking order.

He does seem to have thickening in his shanks and his legs do feel a little warm. Is he too old for slipped tendon? I'm wondering if this is osteopetrosis? Oh, there's one thing, but it could just be a coincidence. Shortly before I first noticed his symptoms he had eaten a single moldy sprouted sunflower seed. It was a sprout that got fuzzy growth on it and it was on my counter in the house and I had him inside and he ate it. Could this one moldy seed have caused these symptoms and permanent damage?

Any and all help much appreciated!

 

[Breac]

My first guess would be a bad case of Bumblefoot. Check the pads of his feet. Do you see any black scabs like this?

If so, it's Bumblefoot and there's many topics on treating it in the forums.

There's also a chance it could be Marek's disease. Was he vaccinated for it?

Either way, I don't think that one moldy seed could have caused that much damage.

 

[Meara]

No sign of any scabs or wounds on the feet. He wasn't vaccinated for Marek's but it's been a month now, wouldn't he have more symptoms or be dead? I know one seed seems unlikely, but it was the only thing I could think of.

 

[Breac]

Even though it's been a month, your bird could still develop Mareks. I was the victim of a poor breeder and got some birds from 1-3 months old which all eventually died of Mareks. The oldest one was around 5 months when it got really bad. The only symptom he showed was progressive paralysis, ending with him being stuck in a pose as if he was doing the splits. All of them grew poorly, but seemed fine otherwise.

 

[Meara]

I'm not ruling out Mareks but I think it's unlikely. His symptoms haven't gotten any worse over the last month. Everyone else is quite vigorous. I haven't had any flock introductions since I purchased these guys as chicks last summer.

Any other ideas, suggestions, things I can look for??? I know some people on here have been breeding for years and years and have probably seen everything.

 

[Meara]

It seems to primarily be an issue of balance, like he's drunk. That's one reason I considered botulism. How about an ear infection?

 

[Attack Chicken]

I'm thinking Mareks...but not sure all you can do is separate and watch.

AC

 

[Meara]

I just haven't had chickens long enough to be able to draw on past experience with this. Would Mareks present like this? I always thought it was more lethal and faster? He's been like this for a month and he seems to be healthy and happy other than the weak legs and trouble balancing.

 

[Meara]

He is slowly losing the use of his legs. Otherwise he appears to be in perfect health. It's weird. His eyes are bright, his feathers glossy, droppings normal, and he is perky and full of energy. He is in quarantine and begs/crows constantly for attention. He eats and drinks fine as long as I help him balance while doing so. He can still fly just fine. It's now been at least 6 weeks since he began deteriorating. This really sucks

He is a sweet and cuddly little boy and so friendly. I don't know what else to do. I'm starting to think I will have to euthanize him because it's not much of a life for a chicken if he can't use his legs or be outside with his friends.

Does anyone have any ideas, suggestions, or advice?

 

[jerseygirl1]

My vote is botulism - It takes a very looooong time to heal with daily doses of liquid baby vitamins, Botulism starts slow - if you catch it early, is treatable, but again, is very slow in healing
Good Luck and I wish you and your bird luck!! Hope he gets better, sounds like a sweetie pie! It's always the sweet ones that get sick