Easter Egger Rooster seems depressed....

[ErnieBerley]

Can chickens get depressed? Has anyone experience this? My Easter Egger rooster (born in May 2019) was viril, mating many times a day and walking proud - the flock leader, until a few days ago when I got some new hens. Now, he's moving slow, gets out of the coop later than normal, mopes around (still eats and drinks), he's kinda listless.....eyes are still bright and his combs are red, but he does hold his tail feathers low.... and he hasn't crowed in a few days either.

Could this be depression? I really don't see any other signs of physical problems, but i'm sure there could be. Can a chickens temperature be taken? how can you tell if they're sick?

thanks - sorry for all the questions.

 

[azygous]

I would rather think your rooster is sick since new hens should excite him, not depress him.

Has he been free ranging? Could he have gotten into something rotten or moldy? Compost or scummy rain puddles?

Have you checked his crop? Full, hard, lumpy, spongy, or empty? Check it first thing in the morning to be sure it's emptied overnight. If he's been eating grass or hay, he could have impacted crop or gizzard.

 

[Eggcessive]

Is he having any problems with his balance or walking? Was he vaccinated for Mareks disease? I would get some Poultry NutriDrench or Poultry Cell vitamins with electrolytes, and give him 3 ml daily. Watch for any bullying, since he is feeling poorly. What do his droppings look like? With a sick chicken, it is sometimes best to bring them inside in a dog crate with food and water, so that you can monitor his intake and look at his poops.