Rooster quit crowing. lays around?

charcharbinx

In the Brooder
Feb 23, 2016
95
7
41
Kentucky, USA
Yesterday I noticed my rooster laying in the yard. I actually thought he was dead;they are 100% free range on 7 acres. He didn't want to stay with his hens as usual. didn't crow at all yesterday, and hasn't today. I checked his feet, no bumblefoot. he's just laying around. my husband felt his crop, and thought he felt something hard in it. impaction maybe? I've been watching him, he still mounts his hens Thoughts? He sort of makes a gagging motion but not sure if it's normal or relevant
400
 
Get ready to send him off for a necropsy if he dies.

Kentucky

Breathitt Veterinary Center
Murray State University
715 North Drive
Hopkinsville, Kentucky 42240
Phone: 270-886-3959 Fax 270-886-4295



Kentucky

University of Kentucky, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
1490 Bull Lea Rd
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
Phone: 859-257-7489 Fax 859-255-1624
 
he seems fine, I guess. he ate some soft bread. he doesn't have any visible injuries just being lazy. not crowing. not making any weird movements. ha. I just don't know what his deal is. if I should be worried or anything I can do for him.
 
Are you feeding layer feed?
Roosters do better on about 13% protein and 1% calcium. 4% calcium is way too much for a rooster so he could be having kidney issues if you feed them all layer.
 
I offer layer. none of them eat it. they free range, so they eat mainly what's found in the yard plus whatever vegetable, bread or rice scraps I throw out.
 
So they're probably short of protein since there isn't much available through winter and vegetables, rice and bread are low in essential amino acids.
 
That I'm not sure. He was a family members rooster until about 2 months ago, when I took him. he's been fine until yesterday. I know he was fed scratch grains, layer pellets and some kind of poultry crumbles before coming here. I have poultry mash and layer pellets and scratch grains available in their coop, but they don't eat it there or if I throw it out for them.
 

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