Vitamin Deficiency - Feather Loss?

[snip2377]

My pet (child) sweet little blue Cochin bantam rooster started limping over a week ago and more recently I've noticed an unusual amount of feathers loose in his cage. I'm wondering if feather loss and his curling foot could be a result of a vitamin deficiency? I've read on here about Merek's and feet issues and the sudden death (like 48 hours after symptoms arise) and I'm praying this isn't the answer. I've been researching on and off line and today found some encouraging information about vitamins deficiency on this website. While there are a large number of vets in my area, none are poultry vets. Those are a rarity. So, I'm asking for anyone with any helpful experience to please respond.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

feather loss and his curling foot

Welcome To BYC
Can you post photos of how he is laying/the curling foot and of the feather loss?
How old is he?
What do you normally feed?

Putting your general location (state/country) in your profile is helpful to those of us who give you suggestions.

I would try to keep him hydrated. Offer poultry vitamins that contain Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).
Curling of the foot could be anything from injury to something more serious like Marek's. Have you inspected the leg and the foot for any cuts/scrapes or swelling (bottom of the foot too). The feather loss can be from few things too.

Hopefully with more information and photos we will be able to give you better suggestions.

 

[snip2377]

I will take some pictures when I get home this afternoon to post.
I'm in Johnston County, NC. He is 8-9 months old. I've looked for injuries and found none. When he first started limping I palpated the leg and foot to check for fractures and he acted like it hurt, but now he doesn't flinch when I touch the leg. I hadn't thought about the feather loss until I was reading online and it then it registered for me maybe, just maybe. I love him dearly and refuse to believe it I'm going to bring him in and put him in a sling of sorts tonight. He normally comes in and watches tv with me in the evenings and has a bread snack but he will just stay indoors for a few days and lets see if the vitamins give him the help he needs. I feed all my adult birds layer feed, never thought to check for vitamin levels in the feed. Do bantams have a higher b12 need? Something else for me to go research.
Thank you for responding so quickly.