Ill Rooster

[infermiera07]

We have a rooster that seems to be ill. He is a Americana/Black Giant cross we hatched April of last year. First off, he has yet to crow once. He has always been shy around the 13 hens. The only one he will occassionally mount is the youngest. This has always seemed strange, but has really worked out well. The past 1 week and 1/2 he has been progressively more slow moving, depressed acting and just looking droopy. He still seems to be eatting and drinking ok. I have also been adding organic apple cider vinegar and minced garlic to their water. Last night he starting loosing his balance and wasn't able to perch. When I picked him up it became obvious that he has lost a lot of weight. The rest of the flock looks fine. They free-range every day.

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

My first thought was to check for bugs. They can slowly kill your chicken this way. If you find nothing, deworm. Give him vitamins right away, this always helps in any situation. Firstly and quickly use B12 or a liquid B complex it will help him increase energy, appetite, and help the immune system. Then use a multivitamin in his water. Check the vent, crop, eyes, nose and throat for any abnormalities. It can be several different issues, but I couldn't be much help without more description.

 

[infermiera07]

Thanks so much for the advice. Is there a particular dewormer that could be recommended?

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

Ivermectin is one you can use in the water for all of them, check with your feed store they should be able to help you choose one and figure the dose. It sounds like there may not be much time, I would do the vitamins right away and make sure he has plenty of food and water. If it is bugs or worms he likely has a deficiency and is malnourished. Even though he eats, it doesn't do him much good with parasites stealing the nutrients. Sometimes they go crazy on one chicken and the rest seem fine, but the rest will likely have some too.
Also, this could be totally way off and may not be bugs or worms, though it won't hurt to treat them all for it anyway.
Make sure you thoroughly examine him for any other possible symptoms. (oh and I meant nostrils when I said "nose" lol)
Good luck to you, I hope he turns out to be ok.



**Oh and you should isolate him from the others, bring him inside in a box or carrier if possible and keep him extra warm in a quiet place. It will help keep him from stress and help him recover more easily.

 

[dawg53]

If you're going to worm him, I recommend using valbazen(albendazole) or safeguard(fenbendazole.) If he has lice or mites, use sevin dust and redust him in 10 days.

 

[tigerrrrrrrlilly]

x2... good advice.
I couldn't think of wormers off the top of my head. I also should have mentioned sevin.

 

[infermiera07]

Alas, our sweetest rooster ever died

We tried deworming, feeding him his favorite fruits and veggies and giving him some quite time alone. Chickens will break your heart sometimes...