Why is my light brahma rooster so weak he cant walk?

Chicken Fruit

Songster
10 Years
Feb 25, 2009
1,507
15
173
Echo Homestead
less than a week ago my chickens were attacked by the neighbor dog, he killed one of my roosters and plucked a TON of feathers out of my LB rooster. After I got everyone rounded up and put away they were all fine. The next day they were fine. The next they were fine. But the third day out, or two days ago, my light brahma rooster started acting sluggish and weak in the legs. Yesterday he was so weak he hardly walked around at all, and i helped him hop into the coop last night. This morning I found him hiding under the ramp in the coop, his back neck feathers plucked out by the gals, unable to even stand. I carried him out under a tree to get some fresh air and at least let him watch the ladied though the fence.

Is it related to the dog attack or is it something else? I wouldnt call him paralized, he's just so weak he cant move. He just broods all day. He drinks and eats fine If i put it right next to him where he can reach it without moving.

I dont think you need a picture, he's not fluffy, I've searched him everywhere for injury, his eyes and face are normal. It does seem to be especially bad on his right side.

He's not sneezing, and he doesnt feel hot and fevery.
 
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He may have puncture wound that closed up after the attack. These kinds of wounds are very hard to find and will typically become infected and/or abcess. This developing nfection may have been why he seemed OK for a couple of days. He could be becoming very weak from a systemic infection at this point and I would get him on some very strong antibiotics ASAP or expect him to die.
 
He may also have had an internal injury and be having internal bleeding. There are no doubt other possibilities, too, maybe a fracture that worsened with activity, probably others I'm not thinking of at the moment.
 
Keep him separate from the hens for a few days. He might have been in shock from the attack and needs to rest and get his energy back. When chickens are stressed it is very easy for them to get sick. Put him in a nice big box and give him food and water and old clean towels to lay on. If he is not drinking use a dropper and very carefully drop water on the top/side of his beak so the water will go gently into his mouth so he doesn't get the water in his lungs. Try electrolytes and get infant Poly Vi Sol vitamins without iron. Any drug store or CVS has it. Give one drop in the morning and one drop at night. Give him treats to stimulate his appetite. Scrambled egg works great. Maybe a strawberry or 3 blueberries. Not too much fruit though. See how he does and let us know what his poops look like and how his eyes look. Are they clear, half closed etc. How does his comb and waddle look? Good color or pale?

Previous posters mentioned an unknown injury or internal damage and they are correct. Observe his for a bit and then report back.
 

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