Help?? I'm new! :)

[Pillzzner]

Hello...New to chickens... (got our first egg the other day by the way) Have a question about behavior of a blind rooster if anyone can help. We have several breeds...Polish, RIR, Phoenix and 1 Dominique. We thought the Dom. was a hen...but is actually a rooster...they are all practically pets to my children now so I don't want to get rid of him. We have another Polish roo and they seem to get along OK. Have always had roosting issues with the blind Dominique. Obviously he can't see to fly. I've tried putting a low to the ground pole for him and he finds it ok. Well he seems to be kind of a "late bloomer"...I think he is trying to crow and it sounds horrible. Like nothing I have ever heard. I'm wondering about his mental health I guess...LOL I can't think of how to say it. But mentally I don't think he is all there. Will this be a problem later on (when they get a little older) with the hens or other rooster? We have 10 hens and they have all been together since about 6 weeks old so pecking order is well established. Just wondering what I should expect???

 

[aoxa]

It is hard to say if they will get along in the future. As long as one lets the other be head rooster, you should have no problem keeping them together. As for the crowing sound problem - lol. I have a barred rock boy that started out REALLY bad. His crow was one toned. It eventually evolved and is much better now. It takes them a while to get the hang of it. As for his blindness, as long as he can get to feed and water, he doesn't necessarily need to roost. If he really desperately wants to, you could boost him up every night when you lock up. Or you could do what you are doing. Here is Jagger's first crowing attempts.

 

[Pillzzner]

YES!!! That is the horrible sound! And I guess with him being blind his head wobbles around while trying to crow! Thanks so much. He doesn't do it alot. The other rooster is MUCH better at it. My daughter does boost him up with the others most of the time. I'm just getting concerned now that winter will be coming soon and don't want him laying on the ground. He finds food and water just fine.

 

[aoxa]

YES!!! That is the horrible sound!  And I guess with him being blind his head wobbles around while trying to crow! Thanks so much. He doesn't do it alot. The other rooster is MUCH better at it. My daughter does boost him up with the others most of the time. I'm just getting concerned now that winter will be coming soon and don't want him laying on the ground. He finds food and water just fine.

That's great that he is getting around just fine Is he 100% blind, or just mostly?

I have two hens that are blind in one eye each. They are a little slower then the others, but I would never cull for blindness alone. They are such characters!

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[Pillzzner]

Thank you! And yes he is completely blind in both eyes. Not sure if he is even able to detect light. Very sweet guy. Loves company of people. When I go in the run with them he will search out my voice and come sit on my feet. Sometimes its hard to get anything done...feeding, cleaning etc. lol But my kids love him. I just hope the other hens and rooster will continue to "tolerate" him.

 

[aoxa]

Thank you! And yes he is completely blind in both eyes.  Not sure if he is even able to detect light.  Very sweet guy. Loves company of people. When I go in the run with them he will search out my voice and come sit on my feet. Sometimes its hard to get anything done...feeding, cleaning etc.  lol  But my kids love him. I just hope the other hens and rooster will continue to "tolerate" him.

That's wonderful

I love when these chickens have people like you to give them the best life they could ever get. Many would just cull them due to the defect. I am very happy to hear that you are willing to care for this sweet boy for however long he needs you. That is admirable!