Rooster Shaking/Trembling

[Freedom Acres]

Hello!
I have a 3 year old Rooster that started shaking/trembling this morning. He was fine as far as I noticed before he ate, but about 15 minutes later we found him standing next to the coop, body trembling, especially his legs. After holding him for a little bit, he pretty much stopped shaking, but as soon as I put him down it started again and got worse as he stood. I have never had or heard of a problem like this. Couldn't find anything online, but am thinking it could maybe be a deficiency causing muscle tremors? If anyone has a suggestion I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi.

That sounds terrible! Have you recently changed anything? Do they free range? Could possibly be a deficiency.

I don't have the actual answer... but would suggest using something like rooster booster for the vitamins and such. I know roosters who eat layer feed can end up with kidney issues long term as the calcium level is too high for non layers. But I would expect that to manifest differently, though I don't know.

What are you feeding? What is his breed? Size of your flock? Treats?

Wish I could be more help!

That must be scary.

 

[Freedom Acres]

Thank you for posting! I haven't recently changed anything for the flock. They do free range to a degree as I have them inside an electric fence that is portable, so I move them onto fresh ground when they need it. We have 25 chickens in all and I feed them non-gmo layer pellets and all of our veggie and fruit scraps. He is a Buff Orpington and the best rooster we have ever had!

I have never given them treats such as scratch, meal worms etc. just scraps with their feed. None of the other chickens show any signs of the same thing.

Where can rooster booster be bought? Do you think molting could have anything to do with it?

Thanks again!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Probably can be bought at a feed store. I haven't used that product yet.

I use homemade electolytes when needed. Recipe is 2 cups warm water, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and baking soda, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Can substitute white sugar or molasses. Serve full strength. Can also add Poly Vi Sol with NO iron baby vitamins to the mix. Some other baby vites don't include the B's which is important.

The protein in layer is usually 16% w/ 4% calcium. If I had the option, I would switch to a flock raiser with 20% protein an 1% calcium. And offer oyster shell on the side free choice. I know you didn't ask... The higher protein will help those who are growing or molting and growing feathers back. And the molting hens and roo won't be over loaded with Calcium they don't need which is not ideal since you are keeping them pretty long term. I'm not saying it is... but I guess any organ failing could cause trembling. Is he still doing it?

Since you feed out scraps, the protein content could possibly be lower than that. I would also double check your feed and make sure there isn't any mold growing. And you don't think he got any chemicals or poisonous plants?

Does that net work well for you? I was thinking about getting it.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Have you noticed any recent poos from him? Do they look normal? I would probably provide him a dark quiet place to rest away from the flock unless it seems to stress him out even more. But he sounds exhausted.

 

[Freedom Acres]

I have moved him into our greenhouse so he is away from the others. He seems much worse now, as he is laying down in a corner shaking, wings out, beak open and face down in the ground. I don't know what to do though!

I will look into the layer feed thing. I gave him yogurt with pro-biotics added earlier this morning and had to give it by syringe as he is not eating or drinking. I will make the electrolyte recipe for him... thank you for sharing it with me! I had thought that possibly protein could be one of the problems so I will try to up it somehow. I am positive he has not gotten into chemicals, but what is poisonous to a chicken? Like I said, they sort of free range, so he might have eaten something bad. I haven't seen any of his manure, as I don't think he has gone all morning.

I love our poultry net! It is easy to set up and moving them often prevents overpopulation of parasites in the flock. I have dealt with coccidiosis in the past when I had them inside our static coop and having them out moving around was one of the best choices we've made.
Hopefully you will like it as well if you decide to get one!

 

[casportpony]

Hello!
I have a 3 year old Rooster that started shaking/trembling this morning.  He was fine as far as I noticed before he ate, but about 15 minutes later we found him standing next to the coop, body trembling, especially his legs.  After holding him for a little bit, he pretty much stopped shaking, but as soon as I put him down it started again and got worse as he stood.  I have never had or heard of a problem like this.  Couldn't find anything online, but am thinking it could maybe be a deficiency causing muscle tremors?  If anyone has a suggestion I would greatly appreciate it!  Thank you!

Get him in a room that's 80-85 degrees.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

And call a vet of you can.

-Kathy

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Arg!

When it comes to chickens, things can happen fast and this sounds very serious to me. I might decide to cull right away. However, if you do or he passes naturally I would consider refrigerating the body to get a necropsy done. Many state ag departments will do it for free or vary low cost. don't know what the cost at the vet for that would be. Sometimes universities with animal science departments might be of great use and do the same thing. That way you can insure nothing is spread to the rest of you flock or treat them if it does turn out to be contagious.

@casportpony has way more experience than me, so you may actually get some GOOD advice.

 

[Freedom Acres]

Thank you for the help from everybody. Just a few minutes ago he died.

I am thinking possibly an organ failure as it happened so fast. His comb turned a dark purple right at the end.