Young rooster unsteady walking som

[Snowyranch]

We have a 4 month old polish rooster having sudden difficulties walking and balancing. It doesn't move very far and even falls over sometimes. We also noticed its head feathers are missing and it’s being pecked on occasionally. Since the missing head feathers and the balance issues came about simultaneously, we are wondering if its been hurt from the pecking, or is this a genetic issue or is our rooster ill?

 

[Tonyroo]

Do you have a space to quarantine the rooster?

You should probably make observations for signs of disease, parasites, and other injuries. Make sure he's eating and drinking normally. Check his poop for consistency in a 24 to 48 hour time frame.

Report back.

 

[Eggcessive]

A head injury from the feather picking of his head may be a possibility. Also, his imbalance and difficulty walking may have attracted pecking and bullying from the others. With my Polish, I used BluKote a purple dying antiseptic spray from feed stores, to cover the missing head feathers. This usually put an end to the pecking. But I would separate him in a dog crate with food and water to observe him for a day or two. Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? Offer water or some with electrolytes and vitamins often.

 

[Snowyranch]

We’ve separated it. We’ve seen it drinking a fair amount. Not eating but will continue to watch. Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

With a sick chicken, it can be good to make a small bowl of wet chicken feed, and offer that and bits of scrambled egg, tuna, or canned cat food to tempt them to eat. Hold the bowl or small scoop up in front of the beak. Try getting him to drink sips of water often.

 

[Snowyranch]

We’ve separated it off for a while. It’s feathers are starting to grow back. It seems happier and anxious to go when the rest of the flock goes out to play but we’ve kept it separated. It was vaccinated for marek’s. It seems a little better but still not real steady on it’s feet. It has been eating and seems more perked up so we will keep it separated for a while and see how it does. Thank you.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would let him out with supervised visits of free ranging with the others if he is up to it. You don’t want to keep him apart for more than just a few days, unless they are hurting him or keeping him from food and water. Do you have more than one cockerel or rooster?