using a contraceptive implant (made for dogs) to stop crowing...Anyone ever heard of this?

[leighks]

I would pen him. I would think that would be more economical than the implant. Have you looked into the cost?

Yes, fortunately I’m a vet tech and get a courtesy discount. Full price going rate for the implant- which could last 6-12 mos- is $160. My Christmas $ is burning a hole in my pocket anyways lol.
But I’m still deciding... if I go with the implant I will update how it goes.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I too am wondering how the cockerels and roosters that had this procedure done are today. I’m curious as to where the Deslorelin is injected into the chicken.

 

[leighks]

I too am wondering how the cockerels and roosters that had this procedure done are today. I’m curious as to where the Deslorelin is injected into the chicken.

The implant is put in via a 12g needle, typically in the back between the shoulder blades- very similar to the way a microchip is put in a cat or dog.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

The implant is put in via a 12g needle, typically in the back between the shoulder blades- very similar to the way a microchip is put in a cat or dog.

Thank you for clarifying. I’m going to be starting college this fall and I’m majoring in pre-veterinary medicine so maybe I could do an assignment on this topic.

 

[leighks]

Thank you for clarifying. I’m going to be starting college this fall and I’m majoring in pre-veterinary medicine so maybe I could do an assignment on this topic.

Awesome!! And good luck!! IMO there are not enough avian or large animal vets out there. I’m not sure what type of vet you want to be, but if you ever come across good studies in this area, or rooster health in general, be sure to post here!

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Awesome!! And good luck!! IMO there are not enough avian or large animal vets out there. I’m not sure what type of vet you want to be, but if you ever come across good studies in this area, or rooster health in general, be sure to post here!

Thank you! I want to become an exotic veterinarian and offer to treat chickens as well. If I come across anything pertinent to this topic I’ll make sure to post it.

 

[aart]

I do have to do something, and separating him or trying the implant are the front runners for me right now. I’m fortunate to have a great avian vet nearby who said she would do it. That’s why I was curious what others who had used deslorelin/ superlorian thought.

I really don't think many have done it, and those that have had varied results.
If you're in a hurry maybe just have it done and see if it works....then you can add your experience to this thread

 

[jonaeselaye]

Hi all,

I was recommended the implant by a bantam breeder who says she has had a lot of success with the implant with her cockerels.

My Australorp x cockerel, Maya, was administered implant today, with a 4.7mg dose. In total, I forked out $280 (AUD), $110 for the consultation fee on a Sunday and $170 for the implant itself. The avian vet said there was a good chance that it would have benefits for Maya because of his age, the fact that he hadn't developed a proper crow yet and he didn't crow very often (5-6 in the morning between 9-11 am). She said that he probably isn't going to stop completely crowing but he would be unlikely to start crowing during odd hours and throughout the day out of habit. The main benefit I saw was that it would be likely to reduce his aggressiveness towards my silkies. She recommended that I get him dosed again in 6 months.

I'll be monitoring his progress the next couple of months. It's been less than 24 hours but there are a few things that I've noticed. He's certainly a lot calmer, still inquisitive and active but we let him free range with the silkies today while we cleaned and fixed the chicken pen and for the first time ever he didn't chase them or peck at them. He calmly foraged with them and left them alone. Moreover, usually when the silkies see him they panic and run. Today they didn't seem scared of him at all. Also when we got home from the vet, he crowed twice at 12pm and that was it. Didn't hear a peep from him any other time of the day.

At this stage it's unclear whether these changes to his behaviour and the overall flock are because of the implant or purely coincidental. I guess time will tell.

Coming from a biotechnology background, I find the debate of Suprelorin very interesting. Especially because there hasn't been a lot of research done on roosters and on the drug in general since it's development more than 10 years ago. If a research team is able to get the animal ethics approval (which is very difficult), it may be beneficial to conduct a study comparing the behaviourial changes of cockerels based on age and dosage (4.7mg and 9.6mg). It could shed some light on whether Suprelorin on roosters truly is hit or miss or largely dependent on age.

If anyone has found any credible studies on the effects of Suprelorin on roosters please send them to me. I'd love to have a read of them.

 

[leighks]

My rooster was given the suprelorin 4.7mg implant this past spring to help calm his human aggression and keep him from overmating the hens so badly. At the time he was a little over a year of age. He has always crowed a lot but it’s not a problem where we live.

By the next morning I already saw a difference, with a big decrease in aggression and less mating with the hens. He still crowed but a bit less.

Within 3- 4 weeks or so his behavior slowly started returning to normal. Within 2 months I would saw he was back to all his pre-implant behavior.

Two factors that probably contributed to the lack of better success with the implant:
1. His age- it was given to him at about 1 year and 1 months of age, in May. His hormones were already in full drive by then.
2. The size of the implant- at $200 for the small and double that if I went with the large, cost kept me from getting the large. The large would have been the better size based on his weight.

Ultimately he’s a pet so he will be kept despite his behavior. He’s settling down now that the snow, cold, and decreased daylight are in affect. He’s manageable. I know this isn’t an option everyone will consider, but I just wanted to share my experience to help inform others considering this route. The earlier the implant is given, the better the chance of success. Once a rooster is over a year I don’t think it’s going to be as successful.

 

[leighks]

Hi all,

I was recommended the implant by a bantam breeder who says she has had a lot of success with the implant with her cockerels.

My Australorp x cockerel, Maya, was administered implant today, with a 4.7mg dose. In total, I forked out $280 (AUD), $110 for the consultation fee on a Sunday and $170 for the implant itself. The avian vet said there was a good chance that it would have benefits for Maya because of his age, the fact that he hadn't developed a proper crow yet and he didn't crow very often (5-6 in the morning between 9-11 am). She said that he probably isn't going to stop completely crowing but he would be unlikely to start crowing during odd hours and throughout the day out of habit. The main benefit I saw was that it would be likely to reduce his aggressiveness towards my silkies. She recommended that I get him dosed again in 6 months.

I'll be monitoring his progress the next couple of months. It's been less than 24 hours but there are a few things that I've noticed. He's certainly a lot calmer, still inquisitive and active but we let him free range with the silkies today while we cleaned and fixed the chicken pen and for the first time ever he didn't chase them or peck at them. He calmly foraged with them and left them alone. Moreover, usually when the silkies see him they panic and run. Today they didn't seem scared of him at all. Also when we got home from the vet, he crowed twice at 12pm and that was it. Didn't hear a peep from him any other time of the day.

At this stage it's unclear whether these changes to his behaviour and the overall flock are because of the implant or purely coincidental. I guess time will tell.

Coming from a biotechnology background, I find the debate of Suprelorin very interesting. Especially because there hasn't been a lot of research done on roosters and on the drug in general since it's development more than 10 years ago. If a research team is able to get the animal ethics approval (which is very difficult), it may be beneficial to conduct a study comparing the behaviourial changes of cockerels based on age and dosage (4.7mg and 9.6mg). It could shed some light on whether Suprelorin on roosters truly is hit or miss or largely dependent on age.

If anyone has found any credible studies on the effects of Suprelorin on roosters please send them to me. I'd love to have a read of them.

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Yes please update us as time goes on, very interested how this will go for him. He’s handsome!