I just went out to put my animals away and noticed my sweet little banty rooster, Poe, wasn't in the coop, and I found him lying completely still around the back. I picked him up and brought him inside and he's pretty limp but still breathing. I had a problem with coccidiosis this spring and lost a few chicks, but I noticed them getting lethargic beforehand. This was completely sudden, and it's been cold and dry, which wouldn't support coccidia growth. We've actually been having a drought. The only thing I can think of is that he'd recently started spending time with my two little hens. Their coop has two compartments, and he previously lived with my silkie roo. But because my two roos had constant contact with the two little hens through the wire. I let them both out to interact, there were a few initial pecks but they seemed fine. Then Poe put himself away with the hens, instead of my silkie, so I just let them stay together. I hadn't seen them picking on him, but maybe that could be it? They're not much bigger than him, but could a hard peck have caused this? They'd been together for about a week prior to this and he was fine. Only other change is that they've been eating pellets, rather than crumble, because I ran out temporarily. But I read it's find for bantams to eat pellets and I watched to see if they were eating okay and they were.
He's inside now laying on a cat bed by the fire, I'm not sure what else to do with him. No visible injuries at all. I tried to give him some water with electrolytes but he won't make any effort to drink. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
He's inside now laying on a cat bed by the fire, I'm not sure what else to do with him. No visible injuries at all. I tried to give him some water with electrolytes but he won't make any effort to drink. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
