CallyChook Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Hi folks, after a few months of happy chickens, I have a poorly one. Twingo is a silver laced poland cockerel that I hatched out in June 2010. He's always been a quirky little fellow and also a thriving bird. He is a good weight, feathered nicely, and no sign of discharge or respiratory problems. His eyes are bright. He has always had a wonky stance, leaning slightly to his left, which I have always taken to be either a genetic thing or perhaps he chooses to stand that way to best see out of his headdress. He co-habits with a silkie cockerel and their hareem in the garden and free ranges every day. Today he and Vlad (other cockerel) were feeding side by side when suddenly Twingo started leaning more, and then set about twirling round and round as if he were a dog chasing his tail. He span about ten times round, fell down dizzy, then lay quiet. After one minute he flapped back up again and carried on feeding. Any idea why he could have done this? I can't help but think it is very bad - I had a rabbit that did that when I was younger and it was meningitis, the swelling of his brain was making him twirl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Does sound bad but some problems like this can be helped with vitamin supplements so may be worth trying some lifeguard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallyChook Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 I've no lifeguard in, but it's occured to me I havent been putting cider vinegar in the water for a while. wonder if it's algae? going to give the drinkers a big scrub later and see how we go. Today he's been pecking about like normal but on two occasions has raced round in a circle until falling over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Very odd. Guess if Twingo is ok most the time perhaps it's not too serious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallyChook Posted February 3, 2011 Author Share Posted February 3, 2011 he's still leaning tike the tower at Pisa, but still eating/drinking crowing etc! I have to assume he's feeling fine and perhaps it's his little quirk now that he's matured??... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 Sounds as if he has something neurological going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted February 3, 2011 Share Posted February 3, 2011 I'm afraid it does to me as well. I think you should keep a very close eye on him Cally, ready to take action if needs be. Some polands do have a tilt, its either the most 'other worldly' birds where possibly nothing is going on in their little heads, or seems to be to do with having a large hairdo and not being able to see. However, the falling/twirling thing is not usual or normal. All the time he's OK and able to act normally, then fine, but overall I'd be a bit concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CallyChook Posted February 7, 2011 Author Share Posted February 7, 2011 he's still going strong... put on a few grams in weight too and he isnt small to begin with! perhaps he is just a chicken with a disability. Whatever it is, he is very happy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
