Integrating a new Rooster?

[Ted Brown]

Sure looks like it.
Any on his skin under the feathers?

His vent area is dirty with visible critters, also visible at edge of eye and on external feathers.

 

[aart]

His vent area is dirty with visible critters, also visible at edge of eye and on external feathers.

That's sounds pretty bad.
Are there egg clusters at the bottom of feather shafts around his vent?
Have you asked/told the breeder about it?

 

[Ted Brown]

Are there egg clusters at the bottom of feather shafts around his vent?

Have you asked/told the breeder about it?

I will confirm but yes to egg clusters.

("My eyes" need time to find/see critters. I don't know what I am looking for and they are usually amongst dirty/broken feathers&down.)

I have not yet communicated with the breeder.

 

[McChooky]

Personally I would steer clear of a breeder who sold me a bird infested with lice.

 

[Ted Brown]

Personally I would steer clear of a breeder who sold me a bird infested with lice.

The guy produces birds that win championships. Have been after a rooster "from his line" for 18+ months. The boy I got was left over from last Spring hatch and kept in an outdoor shelter.

As @aart says "Toughy".

 

[Ted Brown]

Today I will cull Lester my Black Copper Maran mix rooster to make way for Sir Wilfred (the flea bag).

Has been an excellent fellow although he has attacked my female chicken friend multiple times. 2 and 1/2 years old.

 

[McChooky]

The guy produces birds that win championships. Have been after a rooster "from his line" for 18+ months. The boy I got was left over from last Spring hatch and kept in an outdoor shelter.

As @aart says "Toughy".

Sorry but I don't think its asking too much for a professional breeder of champions to inspect and/or treat their birds prior to selling them to prevent the spread of diseases.

 

[esme13]

Permethrin is a good choice for killing the critters. I’ve also used ivermectin pour on , but I’ve used it for mites with success. Not sure if lice reacts differently. Sorry they gave him up like that. Personally I would inform the breeder. They may not be aware.

 

[McChooky]

Today I will cull Lester my Black Copper Maran mix rooster to make way for Sir Wilfred (the flea bag).

Has been an excellent fellow although he has attacked my female chicken friend multiple times. 2 and 1/2 years old.

I wouldn't expect the bio hazard practices of someone selling a mixed flock of old chickens on Craigslist to be the same as someone selling champions. Breeding show birds doesn't exempt them from practicing good hygiene.

 

[Ted Brown]

I have had an infestation of mites and am now dealing with lice on a single bird. The mites took 2-3 months before I was confident they were gone. I expect a minimum of a month for the lice.

The mites came from free ranging, the lice imported. Seems to me if one keeps animals there will be a "critter factor".

I read enough early on to know one must quarantine any new addition.

@ChickensComeHome2Roost i agree with you everyone, breeders especially, should practice health basics.

Problem is not everyone does all the time and for the lessor known breeds supply sources are limited.