The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Fishyhaddock on February 28, 2017, 08:38:52 pm

Title: Buff orpington cockerel cannot walk
Post by: Fishyhaddock on February 28, 2017, 08:38:52 pm

Hi there
9 month old boy suddenly having problems standing on one leg. Cannot see anything different on this leg to the good one. Have checked pad. Nothing.His bad leg is sensitive. Just spent the last 3 months in a polytunnel so we have had a few visits from rats. Any suggestions welcome.  Clearly he cannot carry on like this. Read about Mareks but has healthy pupils.
Thanks.

Title: Re: Buff orpington cockerel cannot walk
Post by: Eve on February 28, 2017, 10:21:49 pm

Clear pupils does not at all mean he doesn't have Marek's disease, but the description of his leg problem doesn't sound like it either.
Any wounds? How do you mean 'sensitive', lower or upper leg?

Title: Re: Buff orpington cockerel cannot walk
Post by: chrismahon on March 01, 2017, 08:44:30 am

Buff Orpington cockerels are prone to hip injuries because of show breeding requiring an unnaturally large breast. Both of ours have suffered. You need to be sure the perches are very low indeed (no more than 6"), the floor has some 'give' in it to lessen the impact and there are no slippery surfaces. Once those elements are in place his hip should recover. A dose of Metacam, an anti-inflammatory, may help.