I THINK MY ROOSTER HAS THE AVIAN FLU!!!

[Lilywater101]

Could anyone tell me what are the symptoms of the flu? I read in a book that a chicken's comb will turn blue when it has the flu. Yesterday when i went to check on my rooster the tips of his comb were blackish-blueish. I don't know if this is from the cold or if it is the flu. Please help me!

 

[cluckychick]

Where do you live, with all this cold weather it could very well be frostbite. Does he have any other symptoms?

 

[gumpsgirl]

I highly doubt it. It is so rare. Possible, but rare! It is more likely that your rooster has frostbite. Is there anyways you can post some pics?

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Yes, I would say frostbite at this point if your weather has below freezing.

 

[vfem]

What are your temps like, where are you located? A lot of parts of the country suffering from negative temps right now have temps low enough to freeze skin solid and cause frost bite in less then 10 minutes!!!! I think he has frostbite.... get him in and warmed up right now. You may have to call a vet!!! I highly doubt its the avian flu!!!!

 

[Lilywater101]

I live in North Carolina, so it is sometimes cold. I don't think he is too bad off he still is interested in eating and "hanging out" with the hens. Besides a little sneezing is the only symptom he has really. I just got a lil freaked out by his comb.

 

[Laskaland]

Quote:
Sounds like frostbite.
christina

 

[NurseNettie]

Quote:
I agree it sounds like frostbite. Just a note-- there haven't been any documented cases of Avian Flu in the US. That doesn't mean it couldnt' happen, but it's not likely to be what your rooster has. If it's too cold, they will get frostbite on their combs and wattles. I've had a couple of mine that got frostbitten earlier this winter when we had a cold snap. They're both doing well now. I'm in Northern Maine and we've had a few stretches of weather at about 15 below zero so far this year and they've all done just fine.

 

[ruth]

The very tips of a roos comb will turn blueish/black off and on at any given point in the day. One minute red, the next the tips are black. That's normal - so it may not be frostbite.