Rooster in shock or having health issues?

[PesterJay]

Update…I checked on BG this morning and he looked low but was still drinking. I gave him some electrolytes and hoped he’d fight off the issues. He looked the same all throughout the day but this evening he looked extra weak. I took this pic about 15 minutes ago.

 

[PesterJay]

As I was sitting out here, he suddenly died.
I’ve been taking care of this flock, originally 28 hens and 2 roosters, for about 6 months. I’ve lost 4 to illness, 2 to who knows what, 1 to a predator, and finally BG. The last one is the biggest loss. He kept them all together.
Any idea what could be the issue?

 

[Perris]

given the circumstances you described, my guess would be heart failure. Sorry for your losses; it's hard, especially when it's a favourite that succumbs to something.

Don't lose heart. The other roo's behaviour may change for the better now he's in charge.

 

[PesterJay]

Sorry folks, I’m late to give an update. The morning after I lost BG, I had been outside for a couple hours doing farm work, etc. I came inside for only half an hour or so and got a call that a fox had just taken out Red and a couple hens. Right in broad daylight about 9:30 am. Devastating. I don’t know where the foxes get the nerve to come this close but I promptly herded them in their coop and haven’t let them back out.

 

[Perris]

So sorry to read this.

 

[TequellaC]

Hello everyone.
I have 2 roosters in my flock of 24 chickens. Big Guy (real creative name, I know) is my best. He keeps the other rooster in line and all the hens like to stay close to him. He’s always had first say but is still a gentleman. This morning I saw Red going after BG and BG slunk away into a corner quickly. I noticed his comb and wattles were dark purple and he was shaking violently. Red kept going after him so I immediately put BG into an enclosed area. It’s been about 6 hours and he is still trembling slightly. His comb is dark purple and his wattles look to have blood puddling in them. He is eating some and drinking a ton of water but is down a lot. Is this something he’ll come out of or should I suspect sickness?

The first picture is today. The second picture is him when everything is going well.

Just came across this thread and wondering if BG made it?