Yesterday DH said he saw one of the black sexlink cockerels standing alone in the middle of the yard looking like a drowned rat. He was standing up then though, so DH just thought it was odd that he was out there alone.
Last night I thought one was missing when I did my headcount, but I didn't have my flashlight. Not 100% sure if he was in the coop or not, but I thought that he was.
I thought it was a BO pullet that was hiding - I think in the nestbox, but I didn't have my light to check.
Today I went out with the dogs in the afternoon and found one of the cockerels on top of the other one, and figured it was some sort of dominance thing going on, except that the one on the ground didn't get up!! He was wet, muddy and shivvering, so I scooped him up and bathed him in very warm water to get him back up to temperature and get some of the poop/mud mixture off. Then I blow-dried him so he wouldn't get another chill.
He acts like he's resting mostly. He keeps one eye closed and has a pecked spot on his comb that I assume is from the other cockerel beating him up.
I'm guessing that he got down, possibly from the wet and cold, and the others picked on him making it worse.
Right now he's in our bedroom keeping warm, but he's laying on his side. His only poops have been mucus-y with some green and white, and with his crop feeling empty I assume that means he hasn't eaten today.
We went to the feed store and got some Rooster Booster for him but we just got home so I haven't given him anything yet. I assume he needs water the most. He's laying down, although moving some and his breathing sounds pretty normal.
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Black sexlink cockerel, about 20-21 weeks, "average" weight I'd guess (I don't weigh my birds but he's as big as the rest of his flockmates)
2) What is the behavior, exactly. see above
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Just today as far as I know.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. small amount of blood loss from his comb, it was thickening and forming a scab when I got him inside.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. SNOW wet melty snow and freezing temps is the only thing that I know of could have gotten to him. No obvious physical attacks or injuries except what appears to be minor damage from the other birds.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Normal food is Purina Flock raiser and we have a fresh bag (no visible mold or anything) BOSS treats, he hasn't been eating today though
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. white urine + watery/mucusy and some green chunks
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? bathing and warming him up
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? I want to try to get him to pull through with supportive care. I don't *have* to have him in the flock, but they are sortof pets. Just want to do what I can.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Chicken tractor with 5 other young birds, pine pellets for bedding material, free range in the daytime
ETA: Picture:
Last night I thought one was missing when I did my headcount, but I didn't have my flashlight. Not 100% sure if he was in the coop or not, but I thought that he was.
I thought it was a BO pullet that was hiding - I think in the nestbox, but I didn't have my light to check.
Today I went out with the dogs in the afternoon and found one of the cockerels on top of the other one, and figured it was some sort of dominance thing going on, except that the one on the ground didn't get up!! He was wet, muddy and shivvering, so I scooped him up and bathed him in very warm water to get him back up to temperature and get some of the poop/mud mixture off. Then I blow-dried him so he wouldn't get another chill.
He acts like he's resting mostly. He keeps one eye closed and has a pecked spot on his comb that I assume is from the other cockerel beating him up.
I'm guessing that he got down, possibly from the wet and cold, and the others picked on him making it worse.
Right now he's in our bedroom keeping warm, but he's laying on his side. His only poops have been mucus-y with some green and white, and with his crop feeling empty I assume that means he hasn't eaten today.
We went to the feed store and got some Rooster Booster for him but we just got home so I haven't given him anything yet. I assume he needs water the most. He's laying down, although moving some and his breathing sounds pretty normal.
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Black sexlink cockerel, about 20-21 weeks, "average" weight I'd guess (I don't weigh my birds but he's as big as the rest of his flockmates)
2) What is the behavior, exactly. see above
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Just today as far as I know.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. small amount of blood loss from his comb, it was thickening and forming a scab when I got him inside.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. SNOW wet melty snow and freezing temps is the only thing that I know of could have gotten to him. No obvious physical attacks or injuries except what appears to be minor damage from the other birds.
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Normal food is Purina Flock raiser and we have a fresh bag (no visible mold or anything) BOSS treats, he hasn't been eating today though
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. white urine + watery/mucusy and some green chunks
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? bathing and warming him up
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? I want to try to get him to pull through with supportive care. I don't *have* to have him in the flock, but they are sortof pets. Just want to do what I can.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Chicken tractor with 5 other young birds, pine pellets for bedding material, free range in the daytime
ETA: Picture:
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