Silent Rooster with comb and Waddle Shrinking ? Health issue or normal?

Hello I am some what new to chicken keeping and this is my first rooster, I was flipping through pictures of him today and realized his comb and waddle have shrunk significantly.




The left picture was taken 11/11/14 he is a craigs list Jersey Giant and I was told he is 7 months old, the second was taken today at so he is roughly 11-12 months old now 1/26/15

He was previously raised with another smaller rooster that picked on him and ripped his tail feathers out, and I was thinking that is why he has such a mello dare I say polite domineer. Not one tiny sign of aggression toward anybody, No wing flapping, mounting females (he has 5) In fact he does not even crow! Which at first I thought was amazing but now that I see the difference in comb/waddle I am hoping it is not a hormonal issue. He does talk..ie:" bawk bawwwk" so I know his vocal chords work..He free ranges all day with ducks and goats plus gets really good feed morning and night, and we have really good well water. He sleeps in a coop with the ladies and is the only rooster for at least a 2 +miles!

Please help:
Is this waddle comb thing to be worried about? Do combs and waddles shrink during winter/ lack of competition? His spurs are still growing so is it Hormonal? Is he sick, if so what should I try?

Cheers




11/11/14 1/26/15

I think that day length sometimes has as great an impact on a rooster's testes as it does on a hen's ovaries. I have noticed that the testicles of winter processed cockerels are not as large as those of summer killed birds. I'm going out on a limb to say that he is suffering seasonal low Testosterone levels. Hopefully T levels will increase along with the day length. There is also the possibility of some other factor/factors impacting hormonal levels. An extremely dominant rooster in a flock can cause reduced T in a subordinate, but it does not sound as if you have another rooster.

Does your roosters waddle or comb change size this dramatically?

Wow Sourland, I never even thought of that, but I can say that I do notice times when my roos are quiet and content and don't do much of anything.

I would also imagine that the waddles and comb may shrink in the cold weather.

Did you happen to figure out what it was that caused this? My rooster has a pale shrunken comb and also stopped crowing. I am in the exact situation as you were. No roosters for miles, I have 4 hens who are too young to lay, and it became winter. He is also 7 months old. I dont know what to do. He eats very well, and has a stress free life. I also looked at past pictures and he was so big and beautiful with a giant red comb. Now its pinkish white and he doesnt crow. ????

LindsayRae said:

Did you happen to figure out what it was that caused this? My rooster has a pale shrunken comb and also stopped crowing. I am in the exact situation as you were. No roosters for miles, I have 4 hens who are too young to lay, and it became winter. He is also 7 months old. I dont know what to do. He eats very well, and has a stress free life. I also looked at past pictures and he was so big and beautiful with a giant red comb. Now its pinkish white and he doesnt crow. ????

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What ever happened to your rooster? I am so worried the same thing is hallening to mone right bow as we speak. Helpppp!!!!!!