Harvey the Great is Dying. . .

[Nathaliexx]

Update on Harvey: Yesterday afternoon Husband got Harvey in a towel and I was able to force about 1/2 a scrambled egg and some chickens liquid vitamins in him. Even my 6'2" husband had a hard time holding him still and I didn't get all the egg in him. He seems a bit more awake today than he has been, but now he is exhibiting a behavior that really worries me. He tilts his head straight back and while back he shakes it from side to side. This is done in a very slow and gentle way, nothing severe in it at all. This cannot be good. He still will not eat, I tempt him many times a day, and I haven't seen him drink either. When we force fed him yesterday he didn't gag, or spit up or anything like that. He walked back into the run and went to bed on the top rung of the roost as usual. What does this new behavior mean, anyone know?

 

[Ribh]

I'm so sorry. A really good rooster is a blessing.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Could be because he's not eating and he's got vitamin deficiencies...the start of wry neck maybe.


Are you willing to learn how to tube feed him? Or is that a little too much.

That’s what I would think, maybe treat him with the vitamin deficiencies of wry neck.

I'm sure rooting for the big guy! I hope the vitamin helps prop him up until he can get past whatever problem he's having.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Oh Harvey I hope you can find a vet for the sweet boy. I totally understand. ...I lost my very best boy this year and it absolutely wrecked me..... and I admit I cried all day. An almost 50 year old woman crying, over a rooster
My thoughts are with you and that sweet roo, good luck

Oh, I am so sorry you lost your boy. So heartbreaking. I've been calling vets all morning and none of them will see a rooster. I have one vet left, I called and left a message, waiting for a call back.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I would like to say this. If he is not nice, it will be months before you know this, and it will be much too late to sell him at a feed store. At that point, he would only be good for freezer camp. Luckily, there are always people needing to thin out their roosters, and it's pretty easy to find a well-behaved rooster, IF you need to replace Harvey.

I hope you can find a vet to look at Harvey and help him, so you don't have to worry about replacements any time soon!

It's okay. We have a feedstore that will take any rooster at any age, nice or mean. I sold three roosters last year to them. Two were really nice and I hated to part with them, one was really mean and I was glad to see him gone! I just couldn't have 4 roosters with the size of flock I have. Waiting now for a call from a Vet that might see Harvey.

 

[Kiki]

Oh, I am so sorry you lost your boy. So heartbreaking. I've been calling vets all morning and none of them will see a rooster. I have one vet left, I called and left a message, waiting for a call back.

Are you planning on ending his life if he continues to get worse?

 

[Peppercorngal]

Are you planning on ending his life if he continues to get worse?

I have called 6 vets and cannot find one that treats poultry. Yes, I have been thinking of putting him down if I can't help him. And he is NOT getting better. I just don't know if I can do it . . . . . . . or how.

 

[Kiki]

I have called 6 vets and cannot find one that treats poultry. Yes, I have been thinking of putting him down if I can't help him. And he is NOT getting better. I just don't know if I can do it . . . . . . . or how.

Are you familiar with YouTube? There are lots of how too videos.

 

[chickenpeeple]

Poor Harvey! I hope he gets better.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Are there any big universities near you? We have MSU here in Michigan and they will often allow the vet students to see an animal
I feel so horrible for your situation