10 year old rooster on the down ward slide?

[CuriousChicken]

Almost 10 years ago I assisted in the hatch of a chick, it ended up being a rooster. SURPRISE! Anyway he had health check with our vet 2 weeks ago. The only concern was some yeast growth on his comb, which has been treated with a topical cream.

Over the last 3 days he has eaten less and less, yesterday we bribed him with fresh banana and dried anchovies. Hes drinking fine, but I have been sick and hes been content to lay on the couch with me and do nothing. Which isnt like him even when I'm sick. He usually pals around the house with his hen, cat and parakeet. The vet gave him a clean bill of health, heart and lungs sounded fine there was no mucous in his nose or mouth. He weighs 2.4 lb and hes a bantam.

His poop has been mostly white and watery, with some dark green. His poop is usually quite firm and a pale green with a little white. I've noticed him slowing down over the last year or so but this is pretty sudden. The end of his combe and the bottom of his earlobes are dark red.

So chicken family, what do you think am I looking at the down ward slide? I'm getting him some vet rx, but any other suggestions would be appreciated.

A picture of my boy chilling in my lap.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about hour rooster, but he is really getting up there. Not many roosters live that long. Does he normally stay outside in a coop with other chickens? What type of feed do you give him? What is the Vet Rx for? Is he having some respiratory issues? I would give him some vitamins or Poultry NutriDrench to see if it perks him up. Do you normally worm him? Some watery chicken feed and a little scrambled egg might be attractive to him. A little cottage cheese might firm up his poops.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

His poop has been mostly white and watery, with some dark green. His poop is usually quite firm and a pale green with a little white.

Hi there,

Sorry your handsome boy is feeling his age! It's nice to see an old roo.

To be quite honest it sound like the downward slide...

Vetrx is crap and will not likely do anything for your boy. I wouldn't waste my money on it.

Instead hook him up with some Poultry nutri drench or Rooster Booster brand Poultry Cell... these are your best bets for giving him a quick boost to his immune system.. presuming you are in the US where these products are available at most feed stores and TSC... maybe even Wally.

You must be doing something right for him to reach that ripe age, so please don't take offense to my questions!

What do you feed him on a regular basis including treats and supplement? Has he had any access to grit recently? Can you check his crop at roost to see if he's got food in it, and again in the morning before he eats anything to see if it emptied. Do you feel anything hard, or squishy?

Now, as energy usage slows down so will consumption naturally. Most animals only eat to meet their energy need. Sounds like recently it may be more due to feeling something not well than general slowing. The things I do see take place in birds this age that aren't usually diagnosed unless necropsied (but blood work might be able to tell you) is kidney and liver function... both of which will effect feces and so many other things.

I am certainly no expert, just a major over-thinker trying to help with what little experience and understanding I do have. Basically brainstorming possibilities.

That being said... death will happen to us all and it isn't always pretty. If you feel as though your friend may be suffering more than you can see (as prey animals they will hide it as long as possible), euthanasia is sometimes the kind thing. Only YOU know your boy! Here is one resource that can help determine if that might should be a consideration for you...
HowDoIKnowWhen

Just off the top of my head... he is staying WITH you and not isolating himself. So hopefully you will be able to help him feel better and thrive for a long time still!

 

[CuriousChicken]

Thank you for the responses. I ended up getting him some rooster booster poultry cell, instead of the vet rx since he wasn't having a respiratory issue.

Housing, My boy is an inside bird, has been pretty much all his life. The chickens gets outside time a couple of times a week because they need it just as much as we do. My rooster lives with myself, my husband, his hen Courtney, a parakeet and a cat. Everyone gets along, and don't worry, I am absolutely not offended by any questions you may have.

Food concerns - the chickens get free choice poultry grit and oyster shells, separately. Since I have a parakeet all the birds get fresh fruits and vegetables, organic grains and seeds as their daily diet. Both chickens get Apple cider vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon spirulina once a week, a couple days apart. They get small amounts of Garlic and Diatomaceous earth mixed with their food daily, as a parasite preventative. Treats are fairly limited, mostly freeze dried fruits and veggies. Anchovies and meal worms for extra protein. The chickens get 1 mini milk bone, yes dog treats I know, and a ritz cracker each when we eat dinner. About once a week they get left overs, nothing I wouldn't be willing to eat myself. If its gross I toss it. Additionally, they have one of those water fountains that filters the water so yeah they are a bit spoiled.

Poop, Crop and worming questions - The chickens wear diapers, since they are inside birds, I check the droppings every night at bed time for color, consistency, foreign objects and worms. The vet checked fresh fecal samples at their visit 2 weeks ago, no sign of parasites. Which I figures since I use herbal preventives but best to have the expert check. I check both their crops at bed time, they sleep in a cage in our bed room so its really easy. His crop has been empty every morning, there is usually a little in it when he goes to bed.

Thank you for the replies and support, I gave him some of the rooster booster poultry cell in some yogurt. He really liked that, so I'm hoping that helps. I'm going to try the vitamin for a couple of days and go from there. Hopefully he perks up.

 

[CuriousChicken]

The vitamins seem to be helping, hes perked up this morning and crowing. He has a little food in his crop this morning so I gave him some ACV water with ginger cinnamon and cayenne to get the slow crop moving, I have had very good luck with this combination in the past. I'll dose him with more vitamins in a little bit. Once the food passes I have some grain porridge that I'll give him.

 

[Eggcessive]

Glad that he is improving.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The vitamins seem to be helping, hes perked up this morning and crowing. He has a little food in his crop this morning so I gave him some ACV water with ginger cinnamon and cayenne to get the slow crop moving, I have had very good luck with this combination in the past. I'll dose him with more vitamins in a little bit. Once the food passes I have some grain porridge that I'll give him.

Really, his diet is not ideal... the poultry cell should help a lot.

Since DE doesn't work as stated on the package when wet, like inside the digestive track, it's probably not actually benefiting in the way you desire. However, I highly commend you for getting the float instead of assuming anything!

Seeds (and meal worms) are super high in fat and may fill a bird up past their energy need before their NUTRIENT need is met .... Honestly... a chicken "grower" diet, with all the essential nutrients for chickens would be one of the most ideal fixes. Your food sounds great, but just may not be meeting the needs of the rooster. Just for informational purposes the following link is for meal worm nutritional analysis...
http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm#freeze
Many folks feed things for the "protein" but forget the other portion of fat. Eggs are a popular one for example... and a good source of nutrients, but 34% protein and 64% FAT.

But it does sound like the Poultry Cells is helping! I personally would suggest laying off some of the other supplements. While chickens may not have capsaicin receptors does not mean their insides cannot get burned. I have had my skin feel sunburned after handling peppers even though they didn't recognize the spiciness at the time, just for example and consideration. Also while many of these things may boost the immune system... key first is good nutrition... which varies wildly by species.

Again, not pointing any fingers... just sharing information. Sounds like you do care about them very much!

Would love to see a pic of him and his lady!

 

[Building Bridges]

I'm sorry to hear that your dear boy is struggling. What a contented life you've given him! To get him to this age is evidence of your diligence and care. So glad there's some improvement....I hope he continues to rally. Tell him we're pulling for him!!

 

[CuriousChicken]

Really, his diet is not ideal... the poultry cell should help a lot.

Since DE doesn't work as stated on the package when wet, like inside the digestive track, it's probably not actually benefiting in the way you desire. However, I highly commend you for getting the float instead of assuming anything!

Seeds (and meal worms) are super high in fat and may fill a bird up past their energy need before their NUTRIENT need is met .... Honestly... a chicken "grower" diet, with all the essential nutrients for chickens would be one of the most ideal fixes. Your food sounds great, but just may not be meeting the needs of the rooster. Just for informational purposes the following link is for meal worm nutritional analysis...
http://www.sialis.org/raisingmealworms.htm#freeze
Many folks feed things for the "protein" but forget the other portion of fat. Eggs are a popular one for example... and a good source of nutrients, but 34% protein and 64% FAT.

But it does sound like the Poultry Cells is helping! I personally would suggest laying off some of the other supplements. While chickens may not have capsaicin receptors does not mean their insides cannot get burned. I have had my skin feel sunburned after handling peppers even though they didn't recognize the spiciness at the time, just for example and consideration. Also while many of these things may boost the immune system... key first is good nutrition... which varies wildly by species.

Again, not pointing any fingers... just sharing information. Sounds like you do care about them very much!

Would love to see a pic of him and his lady!

Thank you for the response I welcome any new information especially since he is a rooster and most food information is geared for hens. Which has been a source of frustration for a long time. I recognize that I'm not infallible and at the end of the day I just want whats best for my boy. I've been thinking about supplementing their diet with a grower feed, but I also have a free range parakeet. I'll have to cross check the grower nutritional value with the mini parrot pellets, since he likes to eat with the chickens. As for the capsaicin, I use the barest amount. Its mostly to get the slow crop moving, it helps that he seems to like it.

Also a picture of Chicken-Butt (my rooster) and Courtney Love (his girl), the first one was at the vet, the second is them chilling on the bed and the last is Butt giving the parakeet stink eye for stealing food. Chicken-Butt is a mixed breed bantam and Coutrney is a Brabanter, her topknot is usualy in a pony tail holder so she can see.

 

[Trevorusn]

Ten years is a pretty good stretch by any poultry measure. Just be aware that he may pick up short term but prepare for the inevitable. But it is awesome to see him having chugged through a decade, so many birds sadly never even get half that. Believe it or not, this post is actually pretty uplifting, knowing with good care you can have many fine years with your flock, and there are folks who are in for the long ride. Good on ya for giving him a good life!