My prize barred rock rooster has begun behaving very odd. When he's excited (as in a recent mating, loud noise, or somebody bringing treats to the yard) he will suddenly cock his head to the right (as if some invisible halter were pulling him) then he'll spin 360deg once or twice then stop like he's dizzy. I've noticed that he sleeps on the floor of the coop (the last week or so) instead of on his throne amidst the ladies...as if he's too uncoordinated to fly up there. Has anyone had this trouble before? The nearest I have had is my Wyandotte hen. She's been like that ever since she was a chick, thus earning her the name "Taz". She's a heck of a layer, though, but get her excited and she spins like a top. My rooster, however, was normal until a week ago...but then, all my chickens have had colds and have been put on antibiotics.
Yes, a few years ago I had a black Rosecomb who developed a similar problem. I don't know if your rooster has the same problem as mine did. He started to "spin" as yours does, lost weight quickly, and died not too long afterwards. It was most likely a brain tumor. I hope that your bird recovers, but it does sound like it could be something serious since he no longer flies up to his perch or anything. Best of luck.
I've studied my chicken health books trying to make sense of this. I have also had a hen come down with some serious respiratory disease (at about the same rate of worsening and onset as my rooster's neurological problem). I'm convinced it is a mold problem as I had a pullet act weird last spring (couldn't maintain her balance) and fearing a contagious lethal disease I had the vet autopsy her and we found nothing. The mold will affect either respiratory or brain, and since my husband put some moldy grain out (!!!!) I am suspect.
Here's what has happened...apparently his spinning was due to extreme pain from his bumblefoot. He had a broken spur that got infected and spread. I soaked, lanced, and gave antibiotics and he is now back on his throne, though I cannot get that last bit of swelling to go away. I've kept soaking him, actually. He's getting quite spoiled when he sits in his tub in the kitchen sink getting hand-fed with peanuts, bread, popcorn and strawberries.
By Anonymous on Monday, March 29, 1999 - 08:33 pm:
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