Advice needed-Cockerel suddenly sleeping on the floor and not leaving the coop in the day time.

[invisibledoctor]

Looking for some advice for our cockerel and his behaviour/what could be wrong?

We believe he is a Brahma, but could be a mix. Not 100% on the age as he was a rescue, but roughly around 4-5 judging where he came from. He hasn't lost any weight as far as we can tell.

He has very suddenly (3 days) stopped sitting on the perch at night and has made himself a nest on the floor. We tried putting him on the perch one night, but he immediately went to the ground. He was a bit wobbly on the perch, but not sure if that was sleepiness or a symptom. He's suddenly very docile (usually doesn't like being handled, but now doesn't stop us picking him up). He also doesn't leave the coop in the day unless we bring a treat to the coop.

None of the others chickens are exhibiting anything similar or behaving strangely.

We initially checked his feet, which look completely fine, no bumble foot or obvious injuries. No signs of mites on him or the girls. However, he does look to be walking a little gingerly on them from time to time.

His comb is fine, nice colour. We also checked his behind and nothing amiss there. He's also eating normally and drinking.

We've washed his feet (mild washing up liquid) and applied vetricyn plus just in case on both feet so far.

The nearest vet that will look at poultry is over an hour away so any help we could action ourselves would be great.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Kearaaaa23]

Could just be age getting to him, I'd advice checking his poops amd if you see red or blood he probably has worms/parasites and you can get medicatiom for that. I'd also provide him with electrolyte water and extra vitamin supplements like vitamin D3 for an extra boost. Make sure he eats and drinks well.

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

Is he the only male? Is your coop covered? Have any of the other birds been picking on him? Owl? Snake?

 

[LaFleche]

the age as he was a rescue, but roughly around 4-5 judging where he came from.

Would that be months or years?

What I noticed with my chicken is that this year they started to molt very early which can leave them a little more tired/lethargic and even more so during the actual heat wave. Some prefer not to sleep on the roost during molt although they could use the ladder to get there.
Check your boy for pin feathers which will be uncomfortable or even painful when getting in contact with others. This could well be the reason he prefers to stay on the floor by himself.

When did you last deworm him?

 

[invisibledoctor]

Would that be months or years?

What I noticed with my chicken is that this year they started to molt very early which can leave them a little more tired/lethargic and even more so during the actual heat wave. Some prefer not to sleep on the roost during molt although they could use the ladder to get there.
Check your boy for pin feathers which will be uncomfortable or even painful when getting in contact with others. This could well be the reason he prefers to stay on the floor by himself.

When did you last deworm him?

Hi there,

That's years! Sorry!

I will check for pin Feathers when I come home good shout!

We finished the deworming treatment about 2 weeks ago. They have the Heygates layer pellets with flubenvet.

 

[Kearaaaa23]

Would that be months or years?

What I noticed with my chicken is that this year they started to molt very early which can leave them a little more tired/lethargic and even more so during the actual heat wave. Some prefer not to sleep on the roost during molt although they could use the ladder to get there.
Check your boy for pin feathers which will be uncomfortable or even painful when getting in contact with others. This could well be the reason he prefers to stay on the floor by himself.

When did you last deworm him?

Yeah I agree with you, could just be a molt but that wouldn't explain him not minding being picked up, wouldn't that just hurt him more? I'm sure the owners would've noticed if he was going into molt?

 

[Kearaaaa23]

Hi there,

That's years! Sorry!

I will check for pin Feathers when I come home good shout!

We finished the deworming treatment about 2 weeks ago. They have the Heygates layer pellets with flubenvet.

Yes then its probably just the age getting to him. Roosters after 2-3yrs are out of their "primal age" he'll just be more tired/less active but I'd still keep an eye on him amd give vitamin supplements etc..

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

My hens act this way whenever we get over run with roosters. They do not want to come out of the coop...not even for a drink of water. Right outside of the barn down the hill my turkeys and guineas roost in a walnut tree and an old childrens "jungle gym" combined. My turkeys and some of my guineas have ditched the tree and moved closer to the house due to our fox problem. Have been hearing a owl last couple nights. The turkeys now stay on the ground close to the house and the few scared guineas have started roosting in the barn My birds act this way when they are scared or unsure. Sure hope he is not sick.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi there,

That's years! Sorry!

I will check for pin Feathers when I come home good shout!

We finished the deworming treatment about 2 weeks ago. They have the Heygates layer pellets with flubenvet.

What is his regular feed? Layer feed usually contains too much calcium for a male which can lead to kidney issues. It is best to feed starter or all flock and provide a dish with crushed oyster shells on the side for the layers.

You could offer him some scrambled eggs with grated carrots and millet to lift his spirits.

 

[LaFleche]

Yeah I agree with you, could just be a molt but that wouldn't explain him not minding being picked up, wouldn't that just hurt him more? I'm sure the owners would've noticed if he was going into molt?

Let's see if they find pin feathers inspecting him.

Some birds mind more being touched or picked up during molt while others get too lethargic to mind anything at all. They can even lose as much as a third of their usual body weight during molt.