Chicken suddenly not moving

[NWhittemore]

I have a 4 month old chicken we hatched. He had been fine and my husband let the flock out one morning and noticed this one was flopping on the ground. I brought him inside, cleaned up his vent and made sure I didn’t visibly see any signs of injury, which I didn’t. Checked for any skin conditions or bumble foot, nothing. I separated him from the rest of the flock with a heat lamp since it’s been so cold, fresh feed, fresh water, and added some pepper flakes in case something was going on internally. I’ve checked him multiple times a day, he pecks at the food and water but doesn’t seem to actually be ingesting any, his crop is empty and soft. I’m not sure what else to do with him but he seems to be slowly starving… I washed him up again since he isn’t getting up and just sitting in his own feces, the poop looks like the normal chicken poop but it reeked like fish and ammonia so badly it burned my nose. I really am not sure what is going on and I wanted to make sure I’ve tried everything. I’ve felt his bones and spine and wings and they feel normal but I’m also not a professional. No eye crusties or anything either..

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

a picture of the poop would be helpful.
When was he last wormed?
What do you feed him?

@Eggcessive might be able to advise you further.

Good luck!

 

[FowlProtector]

It sounds like your cockerel is in pretty rough shape, and you've done a lot of good troubleshooting already. Based on your description, here are some possibilities and steps you could take next:

Possible Causes:​

1. Neurological Issue (Marek’s Disease, Vitamin Deficiency, or Injury)
   • Flopping around could indicate Marek’s disease, a neurological disorder, or a head/spinal injury.
   • If he’s weak but still alert, it could be a severe vitamin deficiency (especially B vitamins).
2. Infection or Illness (Coccidiosis, Internal Infection, or Sour Crop)
   • The foul-smelling poop is concerning. That could be a sign of a bacterial infection, coccidiosis, or severe digestive upset.
   • His empty, soft crop could indicate he’s not processing food properly.
3. Toxins or Poisoning
   • If he suddenly went down, consider possible poisoning (moldy food, contaminated water, or ingesting something toxic outside).

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you added any new birds in the last 6 months? Are there other cockerels or roosters? Does either leg seem paralyzed or have curled under toes? We’re the others picking in him when you found him? I would separate him a pin a wire dog crate near food and water, since a lame bird may be attacked. A chicken sling chair may be helpful if he soon does not stand or walk. It sounds like an injury or Mareks disease, which tends to show up at this age. have you ever lost a chicken from an unknown cause or Mareks before? If you lose him, be sure to consider having your state vet do a necropsy. What do you feed him?