Concerned about my cockerel

[faz669]

Its been a strange couple weeks for him, his favorite 2 hens were taken by a foxes in the afternoon. He has not been acting normal since, stays in the coop a alot. Likes to hide amongst trees and doesnt cuckoo/ wander round and peck nowhere near as much as he did.

He seems to be eating, excreting and drinking like normal. His eyes are wide open too. But he has lost all but one of his long tail feathers gradually (think this may happen every year but not sure) . Havent seen him mate with any of the remaining 2 hens since either. And he has also hit them a couple times around food, which he has NEVER done before.

And his face has gone white, which has never happened. Im not actually sure how old he is as it was my dads chicken and he passed away. I have attached some photos, has anybody got advise for this kind of situation? Is he just sad/scared? or is the white face and scared behavior maybe the sign of illness?

Thanks

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Is it possible he tango’d with the fox during the attack? He looks a little beat up.

 

[faz669]

Thanks for your reply. He has fought off a fox before few years ago, but had no interaction with the fox from this most recent attack. Just worried about why he is acting so lethargic/ sheepish, and why his face has gone white.

 

[Anon112]

Sounds like he might be molting? The combination of some shock/trauma/depression because of the predator attack combined with molting might have him feeling really crummy.

Here's an article to look at: https://featheredfarmlife.com/understanding-molting-in-roosters-causes-and-care/

 

[faz669]

Thanks, I have had a read through and your explanation seems the most likely. Just cant understand why his face has gone white, hopefully will pass soon.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

I’m sorry about your two girls…

I hope your rooster is better soon!
(He’s a beauty, by the way!)
I had a rooster go through depression after his favorite hen was abducted by a hawk.
He got over it, but it took a few weeks.

That, and molt combined, must be hard on his body.

 

[faz669]

Thanks for your reply and compliment to my chicken

Can I ask how he acted during that few weeks please? Was he hiding away? not active as much and not exploring? Also did his face go white at any point?

And lastly did he hit any of the hens during feeding time? (mine never has before only couple times since the hens were taken)

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you!

Let me start by saying, he didn’t crow for almost 10 days, (which is unusual for him, he usually crows like every 90 seconds).
He chilled on the roosts a lot, and while he did walk around with the others, he almost never pecked anything.
He was still eating and drinking, and I didn’t notice a white face…. But as long as his comb still looks ok, then he’s probably fine.

He also picked at the pullets a bit, (which is something he had NEVER done).
But like I said, he’s fully recovered now, and I’m sure yours will, give him some time, and make sure he’s still eating.

 

[faz669]

Thanks again for your replies, has put me at ease. Got 2 new hens for him and gradually introducing them, hopefully that will help as well as some time.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

Sounds like a good solution!
I hope he recovers quickly!