*First time caring for SICK ROOSTER... please help!!!*

[JestersEye]

Quote:
I hope it is something as simple as molting! So far, his feathers don't seem to be affected, though. He is one of our oldest chickens, so we've never experienced the molting process yet, either.

To be honest, he really doesn't seem to be getting any worse... but he's not getting any better, either. I put Powerade (similar to Gatorade) in his waterer and I gave him another dose of the Nutri-Drench before securing him for the night. I will give him a third dose in the morning, along with more boiled egg yolk, since he seemed to like that. I just wish he would crow or raise his tail up so I could see some sort of improvement.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
Wazine has to be repeated; it only kills adults, not larvael worms. So repeat it or use a stronger wormer with more broad spectrum effects like ivermectin (pour-on for cattle, 1% injectable used orally, or horse paste) or fenbendazole (cattle/horse paste tube) to get all the ones you left behind.

Incidentally, Poultry Protector is an enzyme which cleans off mite eggs but doesn't treat an infestation of mites. (I read the label carefully as I saw it claiming to treat multiple unrelated things.) It's good for what it's good for, but if you have mites or lice then you should use a PERmethrin poultry dust. It's usually literally called "poultry dust" on the label, but read the active ingredients. You want permethrin, not sevin dust or pyrethrins. Check the bird at night as mites will not stay on the bird all the time - only at night, only when feeding. Both mites and lice like the warm/moist areas of the body like under the wings, around the vent,a t the back of the neck. You might not find bugs but might find the eggs of the louse, "nits", clustered around feather bases. Check him thoroughly to rule this out. Let us know if you find anything.

Are you continuing the duramycin? (By the way, I completely agree with PurpleChicken and in fact using antibiotics like this is one of the reasons that duramycin on its own is not likely to treat many things any more. Unfortunately. But of course, that's what The Feed Store Guy always recommends first. Again, unfortunately.

I'd definitely worm again, make sure he's hydrated and drinking. I'd recommend a poultry-specific electrolyte solution over a human based one because of the differing sodium requirements. Or even consider ordering a supplement like Aviacharge which is highly recommended by some poultry men (and women). It's balanced for chickens' needs.

And I agree with not worming til the antibiotics are done.

In all cases (because you're giving an antibiotic and because you're about to worm) I would use a non- yogurt probiotic. (You can't use yogurt while using a -mycin or -cycline drug - it deactivates it.) That means either Probios from the feed store (the powder or paste), or acidophilis capsules from the grocer/drug store/health food store's vitamin section. Either way, despite labeling, use in a quickly eaten treat - not in the water. I like to use mine in some boiled mashed egg yolk - they never know it's in there. Where coccidiosis is ever suspected (or not ruled out anyway) I use cooked oatmeal as the carrier.

I'm very sorry for your lack of initial replies (I probably saw the post, but then saw the number of posts and that PurpleChicken had replied and figured you were taken care of). But I'm glad you've had recent replies, and hope my advice helps as well.

Please let us know if you have any questions and, more importantly, how the big guy is doing.

 

[WalkingWolf]

Have you had a lot of rain and humid conditions. Mold and fungus can be inhaled this will cause lesions on the lungs making the bird lethargic. Look to see if his comb is turning purple on the outer points this is from lack of oxygen in blood. From what I understand this has a low mortality and birds can recover, but if the infection makes it to the brain it may cause paralysis. The infection is not transferable from one bird to another. Poly vi sol sounds good and I would give him vitamin E everyday also. Probably wouldn't hurt to use ACV and yogurt. Not a expert but I think the fungus must work itself from the body and the gut.

 

[JestersEye]

Thanks for the responses... I've been reading but just didn't have tie to reply. Here's the update on what's been going on.

Today I spent the day bathing all the chickens, since they are supposed to be shown in the local 4-H Fair in about a week (health issues not withstanding). This made it very easy for me to check everyone for mites or lice. No signs of them whatsoever, so I'm happy about that. I did notice while cleaning the big, healthy rooster that he seemed to have some darker purple on some of the points on his comb (even before I had read the "mold" post). We have had a lot of rain here in New Jersey, so I don't know if the mold theory could be a factor. The sick rooster might have a tiny bit of purple on his comb, but mostly it looks a duller red than normal (but may be darkening up again a bit). I can't tell for sure, but sometimes he seems like he might be getting a little bit better. At times, he moved around faster and acted a bit perkier... but he STILL isn't interested in eating. I feel like he'd be okay if only he would eat!

I have him in the house again, and I've been giving him eloctrolytes and Nutri-Drench like crazy. Since he wouldn't eat the hard-boiled egg yolk I offered him, I even force fed it to him with my fingers, just to get some food into his crop. I also used an eye-dropper to make sure he was taking in water. I'm hoping that it will remind him how good food tastes, and that if he starts to feel stronger, his appetite will come back. He is so alert, and seems good except for his lack of appetite. He feels too light to me, like maybe he's lost some weight. I know he appreciates my caring for him, and I hope it is enough to help him get through this.

The worst part is that I am leaving to visit family for a week in Atlanta, Georgia, tomorrow! I have friends and neighbors watching the animals while I'm away... but I feel SO BAD about abandoning Cobalt at a time like this. If he dies while I'm on vacation, I will always wonder if I could have saved him. I had really hoped he would have gotten a lot better by now... it's been at least four or five days now.

 

[JestersEye]

* UPDATE *

So sorry to keep everyone waiting to find out how everything worked out. Cobalt seems to be doing fine... He's alive and appears healthy again!

I was so worried to leave him during my vacation, but it appears that the TLC, medications, supplements, and forced feedings I gave him before I left were sufficient to get him over whatever was ailing him. My neighbors and my sister kept the flock fed and watered while we were away, and occasionally I got word that he was still alive. It was hard to tell from their descriptions whether he was improving or not, however, so it was such a joy to come back and see him looking and acting like a happy rooster! He was even well enough to attend the local 4-H Fair, which he really seemed to enjoy. After all, he got to spend the whole time snuggling and "romancing" one of his hens. (Not like she could easily turn him away, since they were in the same cage.) He seems to have his appetite back, and he's holding his tail up nice and proud.

I still can't figure out what was wrong him, since none of the other chickens ever acted the least bit sick. I'm just glad that whatever it was is over now. My son and I are planning to show Cobalt at the State 4-H Fair in Allentown, NJ. He is such a sweet little rooster, and we really love him. I think this experience has actually strengthened our bond with him. I guess it's natural when you spend so much time and energy caring for a pet. He still seems to appreciate the extra attention and loves to be handled and rubbed on his comb. I really give him credit for coming to me in the first place and "asking" to be picked up, when he wasn't feeling well. That's what let me know he needed help. What a smart boy he is!

 

[Eggs4Sale]

Awwwwww, he came to you to say he didn't feel good. Awwwww, how sweet.

 

[Cock-L-Doodle Garoo]

I've been having very similar problems with a roo. I was wanting to know if anybody knows how a bad insect (spider, wasp, beetles, etc.) or scorpion or lizards can effect a bird when stung or eaten.
Here in Texas they are all over the place. The rest of my flock is fine, so I'm wondering about this.

Thanks

 

[threehorses]

Oh hey, that's good news about Cobalt! Seems he just got over whatever he had. Maybe he got into something bad and it passed through. Wonderful!

CockLDoodleGaroo, the answer to your question depends on the creature. Something as simple as a spider can really hurt a bird as their metabolisms are much more fast than normal animals.

If you're having troubles with a rooster, you should post a thread - them PM me and we'll see what we can get started in getting help for you.