Very sick polish Cockerel

[Kelson]

I have a 17week old Polish cockerel that is very sick. No visible signs of injury. I went out to feed them yesterday and he was standing with what looked like a lot of effort. Head hanging like he couldnt hold it up. I kept him inside and gave him honey, electrolyte water, some oatmeal and a dropper full of vitamin drops. Im honestly surprised he is still alive this morning. He is no longer standing, is like a limp noodle. open mouth breathing. Felt slightly cold so I put a heat lamp on him. His poop smells horrible. Much worse then normal. I have no idea what is wrong with him. Is there anything else I can do or should we cull?
*I do want to add about 2 weeks ago another of my polish was weak, weak and lethargic. Not as bad and she was able to eat and drink on her own. I kept her inside for 4 days and she regained her strength with minimal effort. After i returned her outside I checked all the birds and noticed she had VERY VERY tiny bugs all over her. I couldn't see them in the house they were so tiny. So I treated all the birds and the coop/run.* My cockerel started acting this way 2 days after the second treatment.

I do also worry of an injury from our other Roo. He is HUGE and becoming increasingly grumpy.

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[nchls school]

Looking at the video of your rooster laying limp with outstretched legs, he looks near death and has probably died by now. I would take this bird's body to a vet, if possible, and find out the why. Watch your other birds closely.

 

[Kelson]

He is actually still alive. Just barely.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would suspect that he could have Mareks disease or possibly botulism. Mareks will sometimes cause wry neck or a limp neck, and can cause other symptoms, such as lameness or paralysis of one or more legs, wings, or the neck. Botulism can cause paralysis of the legs spreading upward in the spinal column to the wings, ad then the neck. If you are in the US, refrigerate the body, and aend it in to your state vet for a necropsy.

 

[Kelson]

It's a miracle. He is 100% fine this morning. I'm thinking with him being a polish he received a well placed peck on the head. He is up eating, drinking, and walking on his own. It's amazing.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is great news. What was it that you used to treat for the tiny bugs? Lets us know if anything changes or if he gets sick again.

 

[Kelson]

Here he is hanging out in the kitchen.

I 1st treated everyone with wood ash and DE. When that did absolutely nothing I've treated with poultry dust. I've done 2 treatments. The one polish that was infested STILL has a few crawling on her. not sure what else to do. Several others had 1 or 2 that I saw. Some had none. Any ideas what else I could do to rid the birds of these bugs?

 

[nchls school]

It's a miracle. He is 100% fine this morning. I'm thinking with him being a polish he received a well placed peck on the head. He is up eating, drinking, and walking on his own. It's amazing.

Miracles are wonderful when hey happen. I would have bet this rooster would not survive an hour after that video was made.

 

[LeafBlade12345]

It literally looked like the rooster was dead at first glance in the video. It is great that he is better! Chickens are surprising sometimes! Also, in regards to your polish hen with bugs, can you post pics of them for identification?

 

[enola]

You need to retreat all of your birds every week until you don't see any more bugs. It may take as many as 4 or 5 treatments. Have you wormed your chickens recently?