Wobbly Pekin!

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Tallulah

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Hi everyone, has anyone ever encountered a young bird (in this case a 2½yr old pekin cock), in otherwise good health, doing what he should be doing with the small banties. Only over the past few days I've noticed him acting a little drunk (for want of a better description)! Tonight he couldnt even jump over the step (about 4ins high) to get inside his enclosure (something he would normally do fine), he tried several times and kept falling sideways or backwards but would right himself straight away. When he got inside the coop having made the slight slope of the ramp ok, he couldnt perch for long so I ended up taking him out and putting him in a separate box for the night where he doesnt have to perch. He was recently (4-5 days ago) treated with ivermectin (via the vets) for lice but was acting like this before treatment just not as bad.

Has anyone got any ideas what this could be? :-)11 I'd be really grateful for any feedback as he is a much loved member of my little flock.
 
Assuming he is eating normally and his poos are OK it sounds neurological Tallulah. We've had a bantam go off his legs but it was much faster than that though. Ear problem?
 
2.5 years isn't really very young for a chicken, thoyugh neurological problems such as mareks are quite common in younger birds. It does sound like somethng viral and neurological. Do you know whether he was ever vaccinated for Mareks as a chick?
if he was off balance before the Ivermectin trewatment i thiunk you could rule that out as the cause, though who knows what effect any strong medication taken through the bloodstrewam might have on a different condition.
See the :Poultrykeeper website for more on Mareks, http://poultrykeeper.com/nervous-system-problems/mareks-disease-in-backyard-flock

- in ;particular this paragraph;
'Marek's virus has been with us for a very long time and continues to evolve becoming resistant to the affects of various vaccines and more virulent. It is becoming more common to see infection in older birds which were vaccinated and the classical paralysed bird is a lot less common.'
 
Thanks for your comments. He was particularly bad this morning but really wanted to go spend the day with his girls and has now regained his balance a little more! He is eating/pooing normally and was wormed with the flock last month!

I got him from a small breeder as an 8mth old so unlikely his was vaccinated - but he has always been very healthy as are the rest of my girls.

I'm also wondering whether it could be an inner ear problem. His crow is a little strange of late...more a bit horse than usual but again no snuffles etc that may indicate a respiratory prob. If no better later then I shall take him along to my vet for a check over! Dont know what can be done if it is neurological....I dont cull my birds but would have them eurathnased if necessary....hopefully that wont be the case though - he is such a lovely chap who would do anything for his girls even if most of them tower above him!!! ;)
 
Poor crow sounds like a respiratory infection Tallulah. Vet for cure. Could explain the general weakness.
 
Took my little pekin to the vets last night and prognosis is most probably Mareks....to say I'm sad would be an understatement but he is out with his ladies as usual and we shall make the most of him whilst he is still with us and able to enjoy life! Thank you for your advice x
 
That's sad, sorry to hear the diagnosis, even if not unexpected. Let's hope he has a little time left in the sunshine.
I'm going to move this thread to Chickens Health.
 
I'm soo sorry, ive lost pekins to maraks too and it's heartbreaking. Just remember its not your fault and make the most of the time you have. Pekins are such funny little clowns and I'm sure his girls love him whatever he sounds like. Just make sure you take precautions and learn how to control infection. Said with bitter experience / worry.
 
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