Injured or sick rooster? Mucus in beak

[pigeonn]

We recently had a possibly distempered fox attack our coop, five hens were killed and a few injured but doing fine. One of our roosters was doing fine as well, but he seemed to be in shock right after it happened, though he was walking fine. The day after he was really lethargic, we found him on the floor of the coop and he had a bunch of mucus coming from his beak. He can still walk, but he won't keep his head up for long on his own and eventually just stands there with his head to the floor. He won't eat or drink, and the last time he pooped it had that same mucus. We're keeping him in a hen box and I've had to keep his head propped up with his mouth slightly open so the mucus doesn't fill it. He's breathing fine otherwise, but if he has his head down and mouth closed the mucus builds up again and I'm worried it'll pool in his mouth and stop him from breathing. No other visible injuries. Could it be something with his crop?

 

[alinas2010]

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear about your rooster and the attack. How is he doing today?

It sounds like he could be suffering from wry neck after the attack, but I’m not sure? I am going to tag the educators for help. Could you get some pictures of the mucus coming from his mouth? Is his crop emptying over night?

In the meantime here is some reading on wry neck, see it if matches what you’re witnessing with him:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/wry-neck-causes-treatment-and-prevention.67732/

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @azygous

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We recently had a possibly distempered fox attack our coop, five hens were killed and a few injured but doing fine. One of our roosters was doing fine as well, but he seemed to be in shock right after it happened, though he was walking fine. The day after he was really lethargic, we found him on the floor of the coop and he had a bunch of mucus coming from his beak. He can still walk, but he won't keep his head up for long on his own and eventually just stands there with his head to the floor. He won't eat or drink, and the last time he pooped it had that same mucus. We're keeping him in a hen box and I've had to keep his head propped up with his mouth slightly open so the mucus doesn't fill it. He's breathing fine otherwise, but if he has his head down and mouth closed the mucus builds up again and I'm worried it'll pool in his mouth and stop him from breathing. No other visible injuries. Could it be something with his crop?

Welcome To BYC

Can you post photos of him, any injuries/wounds that he has and of his poop?
Thanks!

What does his crop feel like?

Can he eat/drink on his own?

Look through his feathers really well for any bruising, puncture wounds or abrasions.

How long ago was the attack? Days, weeks?

I agree, he may be suffering from Wry Neck due to trauma. I'd start him on Vitamin Therapy.

Go to your Walmart, CVS, etc. and buy a bottle of Vitamin E (400IU) and B-Complex. Give him 1 vitamin E pill and 1/4 tablet B-Complex daily for a couple of weeks. Offer him a treat of egg or tuna to help with the uptake of E.

Work on hydration, give him a little sugar water or electrolytes.

Propping his neck up like you are doing is a good idea.

Example of E and B Complex.

 

[azygous]

You mention your roo could be in shock but don't say if you treated it.

Shock can cause all of the symptoms you're seeing including the mucous in his mouth from his organ function being affected.

Shock following a predator attack can kill if left untreated. Shock can last for weeks and sometimes months after an attack. It can cause organ malfunction and shutdown and then death.

Treat him now with one cup warm water with one teaspoon sugar and a pinch of salt and baking soda mixed in. Give him this solution as the only water source for the next two days. You should see immediate improvement.