Gout - Tart Cherry dose?

[Onslow's Hens]

After much research we are 99.9% certain our Barred Rock rooster has gout. His middle toe on one foot is swollen, at the joints in particular, and sore. He holds up his foot a lot and is limping when he walks. It has been off and on for about 6 months. Thought it was several different things but after trying lots of stuff, and lots of research, we feel it is gout. My hubby has severe gout and he takes tart cherry everyday and it has helped tremendously for him.
We gave our rooster 2 tart cherry caps, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water yesterday, by mouth, to get him started.
What would a proper dose be? 1 cap, 2 caps??? There is a huge safety margin with tart cherry, but, I don't want to under give it and not do him any good.
ANYONE OUT THERE GIVE A CHICKEN WITH GOUT TART CHERRY?? How much do you give, in what form, and how do you do it??? Thanks!!!!

 

[cottagecheese]

You can go by weight or just use your intuition. I read that both sweet and tart cherries are helpful with gout and if you are in the northern hemisphere - it's the season. For fresh cherries I mean and those would be very beneficial too. But, has he been eating layer feed? This is why roosters and older hens develop gout, there's just too much calcium in layer for those who don't lay daily, and too much calcium leads to gout.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/gout

Another gout thread, where the OP confirmed that it's the fault of the feed. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/big-swollen-foot.1309111/

There are other threads, where people are feeding cherries or giving cherry concentrate, I can find them for you if you want, by looking at my content, but no one has precise quantities.

 

[Kiki]

Can you post a picture of his foot...including one of the bottom.
Sounds like bumblefoot.

 

[Onslow's Hens]

I feed an all flock so he is not getting excessive calcium. I have never fed a layer ration. The protein is 20% but he gets lots of extras everyday like fresh veggies and fruits and also does get scratch everyday so that dilutes the protein level even more. They free range all day and always has plenty of fresh water. It is definitely not bumble foot. I have had hens with that and am all to familiar with bumblefoot and treating it. the bottoms of his feet look normal (except swollen) His middle toe is swollen (sore when I touch it) and his back little toe is about twice the normal size. No swelling anywhere else, not around his ankles and not up his legs. I treated him twice for scaly leg mites just to be sure and cover all possible causes. I think it is definitely g

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I feed an all flock so he is not getting excessive calcium. I have never fed a layer ration. The protein is 20% but he gets lots of extras everyday like fresh veggies and fruits and also does get scratch everyday so that dilutes the protein level even more. They free range all day and always has plenty of fresh water. It is definitely not bumble foot. I have had hens with that and am all to familiar with bumblefoot and treating it. the bottoms of his feet look normal (except swollen) His middle toe is swollen (sore when I touch it) and his back little toe is about twice the normal size. No swelling anywhere else, not around his ankles and not up his legs. I treated him twice for scaly leg mites just to be sure and cover all possible causes. I think it is definitely g

It's been asked a few times, but I'll try one more time. Can you please post some photos of the legs, feet (bottom of the feet too) and of your rooster
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/cracked-skin-on-back-of-leg-by-rear-toe.1314957/

 

[Onslow's Hens]

ops - message got cut off. I think it is definitely gout. We started him on 2 tart cherry capsules dissolved in a little water and gave it by mouth. He was not happy about the dosing but true to his nice nature, came right back over to be picked up and sit on my lap. It has only been two days and I don't want to sound overly hopeful but I do think he was moving about a little better this morning. He seemed a little quicker on his feet with the ladies. I will keep this up until I see some definite improvement, then start backing off on the amount and frequency to figure out a maintenance level that keeps him comfortable. He is definitely our favorite rooster so I really hope we can figure something out for him. Anyone else have any success treating gout??

 

[Onslow's Hens]

Pictures - will try to get some of him this evening and post tomorrow. I am not real good at posting pics but will try. Thanks for the help.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It sounds more like articular gout than visceral gout.
Visceral gout is from excess calcium.
Articular gout is from excess protein.
20% protein is excessive for a rooster. Mature roosters are much better off with 13-15% protein.
Infectious synovitis is also a possible cause.

 

[Onslow's Hens]

As for the dark cracked patches on the backs of his ankles from my post that wyorp referenced above, those are going away after the second scaly leg mite treatment, Not sure if that did the trick or a coincidence. Either way, those areas look 90% better and improving everyday. This issue with swelling toes is new and that is why I started a new thread to work on this new issue.

 

[Onslow's Hens]

What chicken feed is 13 to 15% protein? I looked at every brand I can think of and the lowest I have seen is 16% Layer which then has all the calcium. I give lots of fresh foods and they free range all day long so he is not just eating the All Flock 20%. Realistically probably only 50% of his daily diet is the feed and the other 50% is pasture, bugs, etc.
How do people manage this in a flock? I don't want to pen him up. He would not be happy that way. I need to find a way to manage his symptoms.