Help, Sick 6 old month Roo

[Deblett]

Hi, My black laced 6 month old Roo just isn't himself! He does appear to have DRY fowl pox, his mouth and eyes are fine. I originally thought the black was mosquito bites as we are inundated but looking at POX posts, pretty sure it's that. His poop is normal, he has been loosing feathers around head and neck so I checked for mites etc and DE'd him just in case but no sign of them on him or his girls or in coop so possible just an early molt?. Yesterday he was eating well, I gave him some pasta with live yoghurt and have aslo been giving him ACV in his water and been giving him tuna as a treat for the feather loss but he is listless and disinterested in anything today and didn't crow this morning. He is out and about (they free range) but he is very quiet and is sat under a bush and didn't eat his baby tomato treats. Does Pox make them act this way or should I be more concerned?

 

[micstrachan]

If he’s losing feathers around his head and neck, he could be heading into molt. I assume roosters molt, too, but don’t know for sure. My hens feel lousy when they molt, barely eat, get skinny,, don’t want to be touched, and keep a distance. Look for more dropped feathers. Some of mine started molting in early August this year! I thought that was crazy early! (I’m in California). A protein treat like egg, tuna, or even little bits of meat might be nice for him.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi, My black laced 6 month old Roo just isn't himself! He does appear to have DRY foul pox, his mouth and eyes are fine. I originally thought the black was mosquito bites as we are inundated but looking at POX posts, pretty sure it's that. His poop is normal, he has been loosing feathers around head and neck so I checked for mites etc and DE'd him just in case but no sign of them on him or his girls or in coop so possible just an early molt?. Yesterday he was eating well, I gave him some pasta with live yoghurt and have aslo been giving him ACV in his water and been giving him tuna as a treat for the feather loss but he is listless and disinterested in anything today and didn't crow this morning. He is out and about (they free range) but he is very quiet and is sat under a bush and didn't eat his baby tomato treats. Does Pox make them act this way or should I be more concerned?

Can you post some photos of him and his poop?
How long have you had him?
What do you normally feed?

Do you see new feathers coming in where he lost them around his head/neck?
He really should not be that listless if he only has Dry Fowl Pox. I would re-check him closely for any lesions, plaques or canker inside the beak.

At 6 months he may still be going through a juvenile molt. I would offer him his normal feed or chick starter along with some poultry vitamins for a couple of days. Watch to see that he is staying hydrated.

Look forward to your photos.

 

[Deblett]

Had him and 2 hens at 12 weeks, so a little over 3 months now, this is the first time he has looked unwell. They free range from midday till dusk so eat whatever they find along with whatever treats I give but the mornings when in their run, they have Layers which I started about 2 weeks ago as the girls look ready. Plenty of grit/shell available and scratch. I do see new feathers and his mouth and eyes look good. Am going out to take pics now, so will load shortly. - thanks

 

[Deblett]

Ok I think that shows him a little better

 

[Deblett]

Another observation, is that he seems bothered by insects, he is shaking his head a lot and then burying himself in leafy bushes and the flower borders as though he is trying to get away from flies. Is there anything I can put on him to deter the flies?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Even when trying to blow up the photo, it's hard to tell if that's Fowl Pox or just debris from dirt and flies.

If he is the only one that is really getting swarmed by insects, you may want to get him up and inspect him very well. Does he smell, have lice/mites, is his vent clean, etc.

He is only 6 months old?

 

[Deblett]

It's not dirt, but could be mosquito bites, he has no lice or mites, I have checked him and the coop thoroughly and dusted with DE just to be sure, yes he's still a baby barely 6 months old, not mating yet either. No he doesn't smell and his poop is perfectly normal. He has molted a little on neck and head but all the feathers are growing back nicely. His butt is clean and there are no other sores. Because he is quieter at the moment, he has been easier to handle so I have checked him over quite thoroughly. No swollen crop, I can't find anything other than the scab like things on his comb & wattles and they are not lice, I have inspected closely. He is drinking OK and his beak and throat seem clear and clean. He just seems very quiet and lethargic, he usually races around the place especially if I have treats, but today he has shown no interest and although he follows his girls around the garden he keeps going into the bushes and sitting down, if a dog barks or there is a loud sound he will jump up and be on alert but then lies down again, he just seems hunched. I guess I will just have to watch and see!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you take a stool sample to your vet for testing?

I would get him hydrated, cut out the scratch and just offer him regular poultry feed for a few days. His behavior is not right.

Worms and Coccidiosis come to mind, if he free ranges he may have eaten something he shouldn't have. He may also be lacking in protein/vitamins.

 

[Deblett]

Unfortunately, I live in very rural Northern Portugal, there is no local vet, when chickens or any animal/pet for that matter get sick here, they cull them! I have layers pellets that contain a chicken wormer so I will switch them to that for 7 days but if it is Coccidiosis then unless medication is readily available for shipping from UK then I am out of luck! He is no worse this morning, I will inspect poop again for eggs or blood and go from there today.