My Year old Welsummer Roo was doing very well up until yesterday when I noticed he was listless and looked unkempt ,very unusual for him. Today, his wattles and comb are VERY pale. He is upright and eating but seems weak. It was very easy for me to pick him up...usually there is a bit of a chase to get him. I see no blood, no injuries, no sign of trauma. He is eating the same food as everyone else. 16% layer feed, a little scratch every day and then a treat, like today they had leftover cooked grits and a couple of iffy plums. I am attaching a picture so you can have a look. He is a sad looking fellow and has lost some weight. I noticed when I picked him up. We have a very nice coop for them with plenty of room for everyone. I just cleaned it out last weekend. Any help would be really appreciated. Here are the pictures: I have already separated him from the other chickens until I determine what's going on.
My first suspicion/concern is that maybe he's have a digestive problem. Have you felt his crop to see if it seems abnormal or if you can feel an obstruction?
I am not an expert at all but you should consider parasites--especially internal. Its also possible he got some bad food somewhere. Are all the other chickens fine? Any noise when he breathes? Eyes clear? Give him a good once over for mites/lice and get a fecal tested ASAP. In the interim give him good nutrition--add some multi-vitamins to his water. Hopefully someone else will chime in with another idea.
