Ancona Rooster Dying

[ManedWolf]

HELP!

I have an 8 month old Anonca rooster who is suddenly unable to walk and is very shaky. He was fine all day yesterday, eating, drinking, crowing, etc. I even heard him crowing early this morning (as per usual). However when I went to let him out of the coop he didn't want to come off the roost. I left to fill all the chickens water containers and when I came back he was laying unresponsive on the floor (barely breathing). I was sure he was dead or close to it. I went out a few hours later to put him in a box and he was alive! He is able to stand but not for long and his comb is purple-ish. What could this be and how can I help him?

He did have frostbite on the tips of his comb and wattles (it wasn't that bad) but now it's spreading and turning black, cold, and hard. The frostbite was old and it hasn't been cold in a week or so. I can also see blisters starting to form around the frostbitten area, which is odd since like I said it's an old wound that was healing just fine. Could it be infected and that's what's suddenly killing him?

 

[nuthatched]

Hi there,
what is his diet?
Any other symptoms?
How's his crop feel?

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post any pictures of him and his comb? I would bring him inside where it is warmer to see if that helps. Has he any frostbite on his feet or toes? He might have a heart issue, but hard to know for sure. I would offer fluids with electrolytes, warm gatorade, or pedialyte.

 

[ManedWolf]

I can try to get pictures later. His feet are healthy, it's just his comb and wattles that are frost bitten. His comb was a nice vibrant red when I saw him first thing this morning (aside from the frostbitten area) but since his collapse it's gone really purple. I wonder if he did have heart issue but somehow survived it. Not likely but possible. I am going to give him electrolytes and molasses.

 

[Tonyroo]

You should do a physical check up just to make sure there's no other problems that might be contributing to his situation.

 

[ManedWolf]

You should do a physical check up just to make sure there's no other problems that might be contributing to his situation.

I went and listened to his heart and lung sounds and had a hen volunteer as a control and his lung sounds aren't as strong and I can hear some clicking when inhaling and exhaling. I can feel fluid and pellets in his crop that weren't there this morning so I know he's eating and drinking.

 

[Tonyroo]

Did you also check for mites on his skin and feathers?

 

[ManedWolf]

Sorry I missed that latest comment. All my birds have lice, I just haven't had any success getting rid of them (but they are kept to a minimum). None have mites.

The rooster ended up dying that same night. I am disappointed (because he was more of a pet) but I decided against breeding him anyway. That doesn't mean I wanted this outcome

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry to hear he died.

You mention all your birds have lice, but you've had a hard time getting rid of them.
How are you treating for the lice?

 

[ManedWolf]

I'm sorry to hear he died.

You mention all your birds have lice, but you've had a hard time getting rid of them.
How are you treating for the lice?

I've tried DE, setting up more dust bathing spots (including in the coop for winter), giving dawn dish soap bathes or bathing with flea shampoo (while I spray the coop down with bleach). I air out the coop and keep the chickens outside to dry. This helps but only for a little bit, they always come back.