Chook Me!

Rooster's legs tremble and looses balance?

My children have a flock of Araucana Chickens (because they lay pretty colored eggs) and I've noticed that the Rooster has recently started walking funny... he usually struts all over the yard ruling over his hens, but lately I notice he stays behind, and when he attempts to walk his legs tremble and he looses balance then falls to the ground. I've been searching online and according to an online poultry disease website I found it says that it's either botulism or Marek's disease. Both have similar symptoms listed (trembling legs, paralysis, etc.) only there is one symptom not listed on either.... Without much effort I noticed his tail feathers come off... he's not moulting so I know it's not that. I've checked them all for lice/mites, and there is nothing. My kids normally eat their eggs, and I've stopped gathering the eggs until I know for sure what is going on. I've also isolated him from his hens until I have a more definative diagnosis. All help is greatly appreciated... my kids love "Rusty the Rooster!"

Public Comments

1. You did good by isolating him. Chickens may pass on a problem and wipe out the flock. If you are concerned about eating the eggs just dump them. After he is separated for a few days and no others show symptoms go back to eating the eggs.
2. I also had a rooster do that a week ago and I to have him apart from the hens, i have tryed ls-50 ,pencilina,some one told me to use garlic in the water and soak the feed with water and garlic, but so far still the same he eats, drinks water, crow, but he cant move , any info, would help they told me to use (Causticum) but i can not find it any where