Cataracts and Clogged Nostrils?

[Ederle]

I have a silkie rooster named Claudius, and I've had him for about a year now.

He is at least 3 years old (his previous owner was unsure of his age) and he has cataracts. He also had clogged nostrils, which I recently cleaned out using a toothpick and warm water.
The buildup that I removed looked like cheese and smelled like rot... it was not pleasant.

Claudius doesn't have breathing difficulties, abnormal stools, or lesions anywhere on his body. He was recently dewormed and underwent mite treatment. His previous owner told me that he didn't think that Claudius had ever been sick, and said that he probably just had both of his eyes scratched by another rooster, which seemed unlikely to me.

Another thing about Claudius--he does not act like a normal rooster. He never mounts the hens or alerts them of predators. He's never crowed or made any other typical rooster noises. He also never walks long distances, and moves very slowly, mostly just staying in one spot throughout the day. He never even dustbathes.

So what do you think has caused Claudius to get cataracts, clogged nostrils, and lack any typical roosterish behaviors? I know he doesn't have any contagious illness--he's been housed with my hens for a year and none of them have gotten sick. I know there's probably nothing that I can do to help restore his vision, but I'm really curious about the cause of his problems. Thanks in advance

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Cataracts can cause by genetics and certain diseases. The clogged nostrils can be common-birds get feed stuck in the nostrils.

With the cataracts and his head dress falling over his eyes, he probably does not see very well at all, this is likely the reason for his disinterest in mating. A rooster needs to be able to see in order to alert for predators as well. You could try trimming the feathers back - that may allow more light to reach the eyes.

Since he does not dust bath, it would be a good idea to periodically check him over for external parasites.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/cataracts
http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/PluggedNare/PluggedNare.html

 

[Ederle]

I've been giving him regular mite treatment since he doesn't bathe. As soon as I think the mites are finally gone, they come back again.

By the way, do you think I should tube feed him? He doesn't eat or drink as much as he should, and he's been seeming a bit thin lately.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I've been giving him regular mite treatment since he doesn't bathe. As soon as I think the mites are finally gone, they come back again.

By the way, do you think I should tube feed him? He doesn't eat or drink as much as he should, and he's been seeming a bit thin lately.

Where do you normally house him? Does he have a cage or place all to his own?
He may stay in one place because he is unsure of navigating - if you cage him and have his food/water in the exact same place all the time, he will learn where these are. You may find that he will eat/drink well in this situation. You may need to teach him, I suspect with the cataracts, he is essentially blind. Look at BYC threads for tips on how to keep a blind chicken - @Stephen Sharpe has been successful doing this, they may be able to give you some suggestions. Here's the latest thread I have been following
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/raising-blind-chicks.1230850/

Tube feeding would need to be done consistently, if you have the time, that may be an option for you to help build him back up.

I have heard that mites can be hard to get under control at times. What do you treat him with? A permethrin based poultry dust or spray, if you haven't used that, may help you get rid of them. Housing needs to also be treated and fresh bedding put in.