Hello!
Daniel, for whom I have sometimes sought wisdom here over the years, is about 6.5 years old. He is a Cuckoo Marans cross. Because he is mostly blind, Daniel has been an indoor pet most of his life. We have tried, at times, to house him in a run, with very docile hens, but Daniel is pretty mean to them, so we gave that up.
Daniel has always followed me around, when he possibly can. He sleeps at my feet at night, and we have routines that we follow at different times of the day, upon which he insists. We constantly struggle with mites/lice. Because he is free to roam the house, it is just about impossible to eradicate the vile things. I do my best, but all I ever seem to manage is to lighten the load for a while. Daniel is definitely due for a bath, to rid him of some of his unwanted passengers. It has been longer than usual, because it has been very cold, and he is very itchy.
HOWEVER, I have always heard that you must NEVER bathe a sick chicken. I do not know whether Daniel is sick, but he certainly is different.
As I say, Daniel is usually by my side, if I am home. For the past three days, he has, instead, spent the day sleeping on the bed.
Here he is (I hope) using my doggy for a pillow. In days gone by, Daniel would have pecked the poor pup, until he had run him off.
Daniel still feels pretty heavy and solid. I realize, however, that it has been quite a long time since I saw him with a full crop. He eats a little, here and there, but not the way he used to. His poop seems normal, except that he seems to produce those vile stinky poops more often than I recall.
About a month ago, or perhaps two, Daniel gurgled and snored for a week or so. I concluded that he had a respiratory infection, so I ordered some avian tetracycline-esque antibiotics. By the time they arrived, however, the breathing issue had ceased, and it has not returned. I no longer have the medication, to my frustration, as a neighbor had urgent need of it. If Daniel needs it, I will have to reorder.
Daniel does frequently breathe through his beak. I have assumed that this is because his nostrils always seem to have crud in and around them. I don't think the crud material is snot. It appears more likely to be dirt, etc. I have tried to clear them for him, but he resents that so much that I am afraid I will damage him during the inevitable struggle. So, he is often a mouth-breather.
His comb and wattles are nice and bright. This is actually rather unusual, as he has, throughout his life, usually had dark tips. But, in any event, I would not say that he is oxygen deprived.
I cannot really point to anything beyond his unusual sleepiness, and lack of interest in food and company, that tells me he is unwell. But, he is not himself.
So, here are the questions, answers to which I wish I had.
Is 6.5 old, for a rooster? Would you expect him to be nearing the end of his life?
Could he have a respiratory infection that is thriving, even though his symptoms abated?
Could his mites/lice be draining him to the extent that he is lethargic in this way?
Should I bathe him, despite not being sure whether or not he is sick? It is still pretty chilly here.
Can you think of other likely explanations for the changes in Daniel? He has been my devoted pal for so long! I can hardly imagine life without him! But, what is far, far worse than coming to terms with the thought of his passing, is the idea of having done nothing for him, when he needed my help. I cannot afford a vet I am afraid, even if we had an avian vet nearby, which I do not believe we have.
Your thoughts and experiences will be gratefully received, and carefully considered. I love this bird a great deal.
Thank you so much!
Daniel, for whom I have sometimes sought wisdom here over the years, is about 6.5 years old. He is a Cuckoo Marans cross. Because he is mostly blind, Daniel has been an indoor pet most of his life. We have tried, at times, to house him in a run, with very docile hens, but Daniel is pretty mean to them, so we gave that up.
Daniel has always followed me around, when he possibly can. He sleeps at my feet at night, and we have routines that we follow at different times of the day, upon which he insists. We constantly struggle with mites/lice. Because he is free to roam the house, it is just about impossible to eradicate the vile things. I do my best, but all I ever seem to manage is to lighten the load for a while. Daniel is definitely due for a bath, to rid him of some of his unwanted passengers. It has been longer than usual, because it has been very cold, and he is very itchy.
HOWEVER, I have always heard that you must NEVER bathe a sick chicken. I do not know whether Daniel is sick, but he certainly is different.
As I say, Daniel is usually by my side, if I am home. For the past three days, he has, instead, spent the day sleeping on the bed.
Here he is (I hope) using my doggy for a pillow. In days gone by, Daniel would have pecked the poor pup, until he had run him off.
Daniel still feels pretty heavy and solid. I realize, however, that it has been quite a long time since I saw him with a full crop. He eats a little, here and there, but not the way he used to. His poop seems normal, except that he seems to produce those vile stinky poops more often than I recall.
About a month ago, or perhaps two, Daniel gurgled and snored for a week or so. I concluded that he had a respiratory infection, so I ordered some avian tetracycline-esque antibiotics. By the time they arrived, however, the breathing issue had ceased, and it has not returned. I no longer have the medication, to my frustration, as a neighbor had urgent need of it. If Daniel needs it, I will have to reorder.
Daniel does frequently breathe through his beak. I have assumed that this is because his nostrils always seem to have crud in and around them. I don't think the crud material is snot. It appears more likely to be dirt, etc. I have tried to clear them for him, but he resents that so much that I am afraid I will damage him during the inevitable struggle. So, he is often a mouth-breather.
His comb and wattles are nice and bright. This is actually rather unusual, as he has, throughout his life, usually had dark tips. But, in any event, I would not say that he is oxygen deprived.
I cannot really point to anything beyond his unusual sleepiness, and lack of interest in food and company, that tells me he is unwell. But, he is not himself.
So, here are the questions, answers to which I wish I had.
Is 6.5 old, for a rooster? Would you expect him to be nearing the end of his life?
Could he have a respiratory infection that is thriving, even though his symptoms abated?
Could his mites/lice be draining him to the extent that he is lethargic in this way?
Should I bathe him, despite not being sure whether or not he is sick? It is still pretty chilly here.
Can you think of other likely explanations for the changes in Daniel? He has been my devoted pal for so long! I can hardly imagine life without him! But, what is far, far worse than coming to terms with the thought of his passing, is the idea of having done nothing for him, when he needed my help. I cannot afford a vet I am afraid, even if we had an avian vet nearby, which I do not believe we have.
Your thoughts and experiences will be gratefully received, and carefully considered. I love this bird a great deal.
Thank you so much!
