Cockerel making a sort of Donkey sound this morning

[pepparaaraa]

I heard a strange noise from the run so went to see who or what it was, and our 6 month old cockerel was lowly making a sort of hehaw noise... Any ideas if this is a normal behaviour or something might be up?

 

[1muttsfan]

Has he only recently started crowing? If so he will sound very strange for a while.

 

[azygous]

Oh yeah! Cockerels will sound absolutely tortured when first learning to crow! I've heard practice crows sound like imitations of someone gargling, sneezing, and being strangled.

The funniest sound is what comes out of a very young cockerel who is still so young that they still peep. That one defies words to describe it.

Okay, maybe sort of like finger nails on a slate black board.

 

[Hholly]

Yeah, they're like teenage boys when their voices change.

 

[pepparaaraa]

No he started at about 9 weeks old. He is usually very loud! But I do remember the funny noises at first

I think something might be stuck in his throat?!
Not sure what to do for him. He's not that friendly lately so he wouldnt take to handling well.
But then again he's very subdued today so something is up. How would I help if something is stuck?

 

[Hholly]

Is he sneezing or rattling when he breathes?

 

[azygous]

You need to handle him if you think something is wrong. Wrap him in a towel and you can examine his crop by pulling the towel away in that area. It should feel soft. If it's lumpy, you can try gently massaging the crop downward. A little bread soaked in mineral or olive oil might help soften the mass.

If you can't catch him during the day, then wait until her roosts and then snatch him off his perch. Wrap in a towel and proceed to examine him and treat.

 

[pepparaaraa]

I had to go out so I will go and check him now. No sneezing that I noticed but maybe a bit gurgle-y which is why I thought something might be stuck. He hasn't eaten much either. Will see how his crop feels and try some bread in olive oil.

 

[pepparaaraa]

3rd time trying to write this.
Couldn't feel his crop but he hasn't eaten any pellets today from what I can see. Gave him bread and olive oil and he ate it when I checked back but his tail was down (it's night if that makes a difference) and he is breathing raspy with his mouth open... Doesn't sound good, what can it be and what can I do?

 

[rlmiddlebrooks]

One of my pullets was sounding bad so I gave her an antibiotic twice a day for 5 days and it cleared it up. I would separate him from the rest of the flock just in case. I was scared it was a respiratory infection and the rest of my flock would catch it but so far so good. Good luck and you might want to post this in the emergency area. They really helped me out over there with what I needed to do and it worked.