Running in circles

[WallyBirdie]

Month old cockerel seemed perfectly healthy. Suddenly started making a distressed sound and running in tight circles. He stopped when I picked him up and has been fine since.

I don't think it's wry neck and I don't know enough about mareks.

Should I be panicking? Is this bad? Is there a chance he's fine?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Month old cockerel seemed perfectly healthy. Suddenly started making a distressed sound and running in tight circles. He stopped when I picked him up and has been fine since.

I don't think it's wry neck and I don't know enough about mareks.

Should I be panicking? Is this bad? Is there a chance he's fine?

He seems o.k. now?
Could he have been startled by a bird flying overhead?

Sounds like more distress than illness. If he does it again, then take note of what's happening around you and what has been going on.
For instance is he doing it right after eating/drinking, is there a dog/cat or something moving around him or the coop/run, are you bringing treats, etc.

Keep us posted.

 

[WallyBirdie]

He seems o.k. now?
Could he have been startled by a bird flying overhead?

Sounds like more distress than illness. If he does it again, then take note of what's happening around you and what has been going on.
For instance is he doing it right after eating/drinking, is there a dog/cat or something moving around him or the coop/run, are you bringing treats, etc.

Keep us posted.

He seems okay, as far as I can tell. I am probably worried over nothing.

He isn't outside yet. He is gradually being introduced to the outside and to the flock with supervised trips. He has not been given treats and is being fed chick starter. (I don't like giving treats until they are a bit older.)
I suppose something could havd upset him. He was on top of the brooder, he jumped down (about a two foot drop, give or take). He was fine for a minute or so, went over to eat/drink, and then started this distressed series of chirps while running in circles.

I've never seen anything like it, so I am concerned. Maybe the drop from the brooder stunned him? The drop and his behavior may not even be related as far as I know.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If he does it again, can you try to get a video of it?

Maybe when he drank water he aspirated a bit. It's so hard to know why he was doing that without actually seeing it.
He wasn't holding something in his beak and trying to get you to chase him was he? Sometimes chicks get a piece of food or a "find" and run around making noises trying to get up a "game" of keep away.

 

[WallyBirdie]

If he does it again, can you try to get a video of it?

Maybe when he drank water he aspirated a bit. It's so hard to know why he was doing that without actually seeing it.
He wasn't holding something in his beak and trying to get you to chase him was he? Sometimes chicks get a piece of food or a "find" and run around making noises trying to get up a "game" of keep away.

If I see it again, I'll try to video it.

I know and love the game of keepaway. This wasn't a fun run. He was practically spinning in place.

He hasn't done it since but I will be keeping an eye on him.