My Rooster Fred Needs Help..

17 years ago

I have the best chickens and roosters. Last August (2005)a dog attacked my gang killing and injuring many. Since then Fred (my passively dominant rooster to his buddy Barney both RI Reds) doesn't go up to roost, stays in the nests with a few traumatized females. The inside feathers on both wings have never grown back and he walks like an old man and sometimes shakes. Barney, even more passive is now laughingly the dominant rooster. They both crow to call the girls when I bring a treat and eat out of my hand. Fred does this crouch thing when he is scratching about and eating - as if he can't bend over so he squats down. We now have another rooster Duke (very young - chick given to us last fall) and they all seem to get on fine - he's pretty goofy too. Fred has sometimes got black spots on his comb we thought he was being picked on, maybe by Duke. I have also just noticed that he has some feathers missing on his neck. The question is, is Fred just living with injuries from the dog attack (never found anything visible other than missing wing feathers) or is the timing a coincidence and is there something more serious going on? I have been searching and reading about every disease but nothing fits. He eats well, just funny. Any and all help is appreciated - these are my babies. Thanks. Dawn

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doozerzangels
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
By the way, Fred is 4 years old.
Thanks
Dawn
doozerzangels
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
By the way, Fred is 4 years old.
Thanks
Dawn
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Nelda - You are very kind to try to help. The problem is, this is not a wound, per se. I believe now after thought that it is some kind of tumor growth, black and slippery. I have since found out that he is very elderly and was 'given' to some other people a week ago. He was very weak and near death. I can say candidly, the people who had this poor fellow are very, very poor and would not bother further, I am certain. In fact they would think it think it nuts to spend this kind of time and effort, whereas I would do it without question. The wife of the original couple I thought owned it came down and took him back home for her husband to assess when he gets home - as they have chickens and roosters and grew up with them. She had seen him a week ago and so knew his story. She agreed his future was dismal if returned to those folks and we both agreed euthanasia might be a kindness, however regrettable, because there is something really unhealthy going on with that tumor in an elderly bird. It would be a mercy for him to no longer have to suffer the misery of the flies bombarding him. The people who had this fellow would put him in a small cage with no attention - I just couldn't have that; it would be excruciating for this handsome fellow to go out that way. The poor guy was very weak from his days lost in the woods and no doubt the mild, gentle handling was even a strain, but he just laid in my arms in the towel and was then just lying looking very near death, and was becoming cool to the touch. This afternoon in the yard he was lying in a huddle looking very near death, as well. It was all just too much for him, it seems. I am very sad about this whole thing, but I can take a small solace that he will not long be suffering the flies and tumor complications, and will not linger painfully in a small cage with no relief. I spent some time stroking him and telling him he was a good boy and a fine fellow before putting him in the cage for her to take to her husband. So he had kind words and a caring touch at the end, more than many or most roosters, probably. (Can you tell I'm a vegetarian?) If her husband, more of an expert, feels optimistic about him, I'll post the resolution.
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velvet_sparrow
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Poor Fred! It sounds like he suffered not only a physical injury but maybe a brain injury as well. Does he seem to have trouble balancing or walking? This problem is called Crookneck, also sometimes Twirling and/or Stargazing, if you do some research online you can fine out more and see if it fits.

After all this time I don't know what you could do for him...A Silkie breeder friend of mine has a treatment involving Selenium and Vitamin E for head injuries to crested breeds, you could try it I guess. For what it's worth, here's his advice for treating Crookneck, caused by a blow to the head or bad feed, the text between the rows of **'s is his advice:

*******************
Here is my theory and therapy for what some call "limber neck" and I call crookneck. The symptoms first show as a crook in the neck. It progresses to tucking the head, then tucking the head between the legs, then backing up, and tumbling over. It usually hits young birds but can happen at any age.

It is unclear what causes crookneck. American Silkie Bantam Club members suggest water on the brain, vitamin E deficiency, and injury to the brain that is outside the skull and forms the knob on the top of Silkie's heads.

Water on the brain was seen in a necropsy of an affected bird. Prednisone was suggested as symptomatic relief. Vitamin E and B complex are both good for neurological disorders. Selenium helps absorb vitamin E.

Here's what I do for affected birds. If started before symptoms get severe, the bird will totally recover. To give vitamin E - just cut the end off a human capsule and squirt it in the bird's mouth.

It is important to be sure the bird gets enough to eat and drink while it has this problem. Birds with severe cases of crookneck can't eat and drink enough to survive. You will need to gently place their head in the feed dish and carefully dip just the tip of the beak in water. Be careful not to dip too far into the water and to not stress the bird while trying to help.

For the first week I give

Twice a day
2.5 mg of prednisone
400 IU of vitamin E

Once a day
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)

For the second week I give

Once a day
2.5 mg of prednisone
400 IU of vitamin E
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins

Every other day
Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)

For the following weeks I give

Once a day
2.5 mg of prednisone
400 IU of vitamin E
A piece of human vitamin B complex pill or a squirt of human liquid vitamins

Every third day
Selenium (50 micrograms/day for half size juvenile for 3 days)

Do not abruptly stop prednisone, the swelling rebounds, decrease dose gradually. Vitamin E recovery can be slow; continue the vitamin E for several weeks at least.

You can get the prednisone from a vet; just describe the problem of swelling in the brain probably due to injury. Yes, Silkies' brains do stick out through a hole on the top of the skull.

You can get the vitamin E, selenium, and vitamin B complex or liquid vitamins at any pharmacy.
******************

When I used this technique I could not get Prednisone and had to stick with just the Vit E and Selenium, it worked out fine.

Good luck!

Velvet ~:>
doozerzangels
Original Author
17 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
By the way, Fred is 4 years old.
Thanks
Dawn

My Rooster Fred Needs Help..

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My Rooster Fred Needs Help..

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