URGENT Roo is lethargic, can’t walk

[Jim_Badger49]

Came in to check everyone this morning and Copper was sitting in front of the pop door, letting everyone just literally walk all over him. Pale/floppy comb and wattles. He was kinda standing at first, then when I tried to reach for him he fell over. He can move his legs but can’t seem to get up or right himself now, just lays on his side. It was VERY hot yesterday, and I keep lots of water and give cold watermelon and tubs of ice water to help keep them cool. I’m not sure if he’s dehydrated or what. I’ve moved him inside for the time being and mixing up sav-a-chick and about to make him a mash with some hard boiled eggs too, to see if he’ll eat. I haven’t fully inspected him yet, my first goal is to get some fluids and/or food into him. Video attached. Thoughts??

In this first video, he seems to be favoring the other leg, (under). I would want to check the leg for injury, especially the hip joint.
I have fashioned splints for chickens in the past, from cardboard tube and silver tape, and gotten them through healing an injury. However, if they have internal injury, the shock and stress may kill them. Isolate him, and try to keep him hydrated. You can use a dropper. But, do gently check that leg for dislocation or injury. Seabrights are pretty hyperactive, and you are keeping this small roo with much bigger chickens, so it's possible he got in a scrap with another roo, or even an agressive hen. Good luck! Hope he feels better soon.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a link for the lab:
https://www.vetdna.com/application/forms/aviansubmittalform.pdf

Here is the state vet lab:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/poultry-labs.html

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I haven’t fully inspected him yet, my first goal is to get some fluids and/or food into him.

He's a little cutie, sorry you face this!

Never push fluids or food without first inspecting to make sure the crop is clear and functioning. (link later in post for description)

Marek's is suspect.. dehydration doesn't just happen because it got hot IMO.. what is his standard feed routine including treats?

Links to lab services for necropsy if that comes onto the table.. Free to backyard owners in the state of VA.. You might even call and discuss with them what you're seeing, what the prevalence of things they see is, and how they recommend you move forward..

https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health-laboratory-services.shtml

He’s now making soft clicking noises?

If you mean when he's breathing then he may have aspirated some fluid. I watched the video several time but having a hard time making it out.. is it a sound he's making with his beak and not his lungs?

I think my bird has the same thing! But she drinks ALOT. She basically sat next to the water and drinks every few minutes. She’s only vaccinated against new castles disease. As are the rest of the flock.

That's often a symptom of crop blockage..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

The poultry cell formula is called rooster booster. Is there a version for ladies too?
I gave her human vitamin B yesterday but it didn’t help.

Rooster Booster is the brand name.. they make several products and all are viable for use regardless of gender.

While the B vitamin may not have given immediate results regarding the symptoms you're seeing.. it does a lot to support over all immune function.

Hoping for good news and speedy recovery for all our feathered friends!

 

[Shugercube]

He's a little cutie, sorry you face this!

Never push fluids or food without first inspecting to make sure the crop is clear and functioning. (link later in post for description)

His crop was empty and felt normal for an empty crop. I don’t smell anything funky so I don’t think it’s a crop issue. He’s now drinking on his own, and even trying to stand (and can, for a few seconds before he seems to tire back out). Still no interest in food- I tried fresh hard boiled egg, and also a mash with his normal feed mixed with the egg and water. Zero interest. He’s resting now, and looks just miserable. Very very sleepy.

He just pooped as I’m typing, bright green pure liquid Does this mean it’s the end?? He did eat a bunch of watermelon yesterday, not sure if that could cause the green color or not. I know they get green poo when they eat a lot of greens.

Marek's is suspect.. dehydration doesn't just happen because it got hot IMO.. what is his standard feed routine including treats?

I leave their food and water out 24/7 and they eat/drink as they please. Free range a few hours a day. When it’s hot out I leave watermelon chunks, which I did yesterday. Also the occasional head of lettuce for them to munch on but that’s been a while since they’ve had that.
I did just put out crushed egg shells for the girls, as they’re getting closer to pol. I didn’t see him eating any, but could that have caused these issues if he did, and ate too much?? They were cooked until dried out and then crushed. That’s the only “new” thing I can think of recently.

Links to lab services for necropsy if that comes onto the table.. Free to backyard owners in the state of VA.. You might even call and discuss with them what you're seeing, what the prevalence of things they see is, and how they recommend you move forward..

https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health-laboratory-services.shtml

If you mean when he's breathing then he may have aspirated some fluid. I watched the video several time but having a hard time making it out.. is it a sound he's making with his beak and not his lungs?

I’m not sure myself, it almost sounds like he’s cluckling but it’s coming out like a whisper?

 

[Paz]

He's a little cutie, sorry you face this!

Never push fluids or food without first inspecting to make sure the crop is clear and functioning. (link later in post for description)

Marek's is suspect.. dehydration doesn't just happen because it got hot IMO.. what is his standard feed routine including treats?

Links to lab services for necropsy if that comes onto the table.. Free to backyard owners in the state of VA.. You might even call and discuss with them what you're seeing, what the prevalence of things they see is, and how they recommend you move forward..

https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-animal-health-laboratory-services.shtml


If you mean when he's breathing then he may have aspirated some fluid. I watched the video several time but having a hard time making it out.. is it a sound he's making with his beak and not his lungs?


That's often a symptom of crop blockage..

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/


Rooster Booster is the brand name.. they make several products and all are viable for use regardless of gender.

While the B vitamin may not have given immediate results regarding the symptoms you're seeing.. it does a lot to support over all immune function.

Hoping for good news and speedy recovery for all our feathered friends!

Thanks!

 

[Shugercube]

He’s resting. I want to hold him so badly but I worry it’d be more stressful for him if I do. I want him to know I love him and to comfort him but I don't think chickens think that way if you cuddle them, they probably just think something is trapping them and they’re about to get eaten. That’s the last thing I want is for him to be terrified the whole time. I’ll check back on him in 20 minutes or so.

 

[Shugercube]

Well. He had seemed like he was starting to perk up but now back to being super sleepy and not able to right himself, and not wanting to drink again. My poor baby boy

 

[Shugercube]

Another symptom- now he appears to have wryneck, looking straight up at the ceiling. He’s just sitting there resting but his head is all the way tilted back.

 

[sourland]

I'd be concerned that he has Marek's disease. Others have provided labs for necropsy if he does not survive. Sorry that you/he are having to deal with this.

 

[Shugercube]

I'd be concerned that he has Marek's disease. Others have provided labs for necropsy if he does not survive. Sorry that you/he are having to deal with this.

Is Marek’s always fatal? Should I just call it and euthanize him, or give it more time? I don’t want him to suffer but I don’t want to act prematurely and find out I could have saved him.