craftyhunnypie Posted July 6, 2010 Share Posted July 6, 2010 Poor liitle Red, my 12 week old lavender pekin cockerel keeps falling over. He eats, drinks, runs about ( no crows yet) & is very happy & healthy looking - but he falls over. He will run or walk then sort of wobble over. Poor thing. When I got these chicks one had a splayed leg, which was corrected - but I can't remember which - could it have raised its ugly head as he's grown? Or could it be a neurological problem? I looked up Mareks, but he shows no other signs of that ( like the blue eye thing etc). I just think perhaps he is a pellet short? He's a lovely soppy thing - & apart from that he is totally fine! He has a forever home here with me anyway - I just wondered what it was. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathybc Posted July 7, 2010 Share Posted July 7, 2010 poor boy! so pleased you love him regardless - hope he is OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 7, 2010 Author Share Posted July 7, 2010 Put it this way - he can certainly fly! He shoots out of that eglu in the morning. No crowing yet, perhaps that's because he might fall over? He is an absolute little love! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 Little Red is still eating & drinking & getting about. But his falling over is in my opinion worse. He sits down a lot in the run. He slept in the eglu nest last night & struggled to climb out of it this morning. He seems a happy little boy & a normal pekin size & weight. We can't see anything wrong when we pick him up. He goes so soppy when we pick him up. He can stand on his legs, but seems to be having trouble holding his weight - then topples on his side or backwards. It's only come to light the past couple of weeks. He's 13 weeks this coming Wednesday. It upsets me to see him fall over. I really care a lot for him, even though he is disabled & I had a little cry today. His girls are so lovely to him & preened some dirt off his wing for him today, so that he wouldn't fall over. I'm scared that he won't live long, even though there are no signs of any illness - just his disability. What could it be? Could he have had a stroke at a young age, or a weak heart? Is it neurological? Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 10, 2010 Share Posted July 10, 2010 It could be neurological. I had a young Poland who developed a brain hernia about that age. She'd been fine till then. Not the same as yours though - she couldn't hold her head still. We tried cortisone and Baytril together but it didn't work. I think I'd take your lovely little one to the vet to be honest. I do hope it isn't anything serious Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 11, 2010 Author Share Posted July 11, 2010 Well after today - I just think little Red is partially a cripple. They have been out free ranging under our supervision all afternoon. I was worried about him falling off the decking step, but he has waddled about really fast today & just flew off the decking. He made sure he got his good share of sweetcorn - went running best way he could to get the most. His feet don't really bend, it's like he is wearing 'curly toe shoes' permanently, so he sort of walks odd & then sometimes falls over. He's been a love today & really enjoyed himself. I wonder if he will ever crow though & also if he will ever be able to be a daddy? Whatever, we love him to bits - he is a beautiful pet. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 The past couple of days ittle Red has got worse. He now has absolute no use of his legs & we think he has lost control of his wings too. It is awful to see & we think we are soon going to have to make a yukky decision to put him out of his misery. He is certainly not going to live a long life the state he is in. We have had to bath him daily & put him in a plastic lin bin within the run in the day & in the eglu at night. We are having to hand feed & give him water. He has not grown properly & the girls are now almost double his size. His comb & wattles haven't grown any more either. He is like a runt. I am extremely upset. I had 7 chicks & only 1 boy & there is something wrong with him. I am sure that I will have to get my brother in law to ' take him away' & do the yukky deed. I will be devastated & will also want a new little pekin cockerel for the girls. Please convince me that I'm being sensible & that you too would not let him suffer. Your thoughts on this will really help me to be strong over this. Thanks. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 I think that you already know the answer Emma. It is hard and heartbreaking but I think the time has come Be brave, it is the right thing to do for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Awww poor little boy. I think your next course of action is wise. It won't be long until he is turned on for his weakness. He has had a good 13 or so weeks with you loving and nuturing him - that you can both be thankful for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 Thank you - I just need some reassurance. Neither me or hubby can do what we need to do. But our brother in law can, as he used to rear turkeys for Xmas. Poor Red is the sweetest cockerel I have ever ever had - he is 15 weeks tomorrow, but I won't let him suffer, we decided that last night. Why when I so wanted a cockerel, did I get soooo many girls? Typical isn't it?! I desperately need to look for a local pekin cockerel - a frizzle one would be a bonus. Any breeder, chick rearer & chook keeper has to be brave and able to deal with any turns for the worse. I hate it but yes I do know what has to be done here. Thanks for your support. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Just to add my support. I would either take him to the vet or put him down. I don't know whats wrong - it could even be a form of Mareks, which as I'm sure you know isn't curable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutti Frutti Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Emma, you are doing the right thing... heartbreaking as it is Bless him, I've been following his progress and I too am so sad that he's not recovered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 It is a shame, but there is only one thing to be done, as he can't be enjoying life. Sorry to read about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 27, 2010 Author Share Posted July 27, 2010 Thanks Egluntyne. I'm a sensible person, so have made the decision with hubby to take him my brother in laws at the weekend - if he is still alive. Very sad, but it's the best for the poor little boy. I wondered about a form of Mareks, but I do think that it is more a genetic disorder he has - his growth seems stunted. I didn't hatch these, I bought them as day olds. I've enjoyed him, but it is unfair for him to carry on. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 Not that this is of any help but Mareks involves tumours growing on the inside which could effect any organs and often a bird doesn't eat much - which would present as poor growth amongst other things. This is in addition to wing, leg and foot paralysis and sometimes the eye can go a bit odd as well. And he is at a suspectible age - tho not a particularly susceptible breed. Anyway, my commiserations are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted July 27, 2010 Share Posted July 27, 2010 it does sound like Mareks Whatever it is I'm really sorry, you are obviously devoted to him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 So sorry, you've had a few knocks this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 28, 2010 Author Share Posted July 28, 2010 Yes - we've lost Anneka & Heli (naturally), Scrabble under a flower pot in the heat & now Red isn't well. We brought Red in again - washed him - wrapped him in a towel, fed & watered him. When restricted in a towel, he can manage to peck food & drink. But it's not nice to watch. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 28, 2010 Share Posted July 28, 2010 Emma - I agree, its the worst thing. Just try to keep him quiet, comfy, cool. I know he won't want to eat/drink but offer him moist morsels from time to time. I don't know how you feel about vets and having him PTS but you might want to consider it as if its mareks the poor boy is just going to deteriorate. Not judging you, its just I've been through a mareks episode without realising what it was and I'd act differently now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Hi, Emma maybe the right thing to put him down, if he doesn't get any better in say a week in case its something contagious, and will wipe out your whole flock. i had this happen to a Silkie, her legs went, then her wings, then her neck, and so on, she couldn't eat by the end, so we put her down, any idea of what this was as i looked up Mareks and it wasn't that also.. Just remember to do the right thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 30, 2010 Author Share Posted July 30, 2010 Little red is in his lin bin box all comfy & able to peck his food & drink for himself - but that's all. I'm planning on him going sometime this week to my brother in laws. I know this sounds awful, but I have reserved a 13 week old millefleur cockerel - to collect when I'm ready. About a week or 2 younger than the girls he'll live with - so hopefully he won't mither them too much until they come into lay. God knows what I'll call him. Hubby is finding it ultra hard to let little Red go. I'd have taken him to my brother in laws yesterday - but hubby wasn't ready to say goodbye. I think he is slowly getting there now. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Dear Emma - I think getting another boy is a good idea. The only thing I'd be wary of now is ongoing contamination if it was mareks. I'd keep your new boy in quarantine away from where LR was (ie when he was outside) for 2 weeks if you can manage it. I'd do an ultra-clean of where Little Red has been (indoors and outdoors). Ideally when you integrate your new lad if you can put him and the girls on ground away from where LR and the girls were that would also lessen the chances of dander transfer (clean your chicken keeping boots as well). Then keep a close eye on the newbie - this grower stage is particularly vulnerable. I hope your hubby comes to terms with things. Its the aspect of keeping livestock we all dread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiggy Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 Im so sorry to read all this, Its the right thing to have him put out of his misery, i hope all goes well with your new little chap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
