Isaac, My 5 Year Old Delaware Rooster....Old Age is Closing In On The Big Guy (Long Story)

[speckledhen]

When he's just in the house with me, he breathes fine, definitely better than a few days ago. When he runs or moves around more, he breathes heavily. He's out of breath so easily, I'm not sure what that's from, but he had 5 days of Tylan and if he was starting up with pneumonia, that should have kicked it out. Could be his breathing is just his diminished lung capacity from the fungal infection three summers ago. He may never be right again in that department. He chased his hen whom he hasn't seen in over a week and chased Deacon away and was heaving so loudly, I had to make him slow down so he could catch his breath.

His age is always a factor in anything that happens. I've never heard of anyone with an old Delaware rooster. He is 5 years old so he's getting up in age. His color is great, his eyes are bright and he seems like he isn't in pain nor does he act like he feels bad at all. Naturally, chickens don't always show when they are ill until they are at death's doorstep, but he looks like a healthy rooster. Even his feet aren't noticeably messed up unless someone inspected the toes closely and from the underside of them.

 

[Beekissed]

Sounds like he has ascites...maybe congestive heart failure?

 

[speckledhen]

There is no excess fluid. He doesn't sound gargly, no discharge, no "coffee pot" breathing, just deep heavy breathing like he doesn't have enough air when he exerts himself. He may have a failing heart, but no way to know. Right now, his color is excellent, so that would suggest his heart is functioning fine.

 

[aoxa]

There is no excess fluid. He doesn't sound gargly, no discharge, no "coffee pot" breathing, just deep heavy breathing like he doesn't have enough air when he exerts himself. He may have a failing heart, but no way to know. Right now, his color is excellent, so that would suggest his heart is functioning fine.

I would think his comb would turn blue/purple if he wasn't getting enough oxygen from heart failure..

 

[speckledhen]

I would think his comb would turn blue/purple if he wasn't getting enough oxygen from heart failure..

I would say so, yes. His crow in the basement this morning sounded super strong and clear. It's just when he exerts himself that he is short of breath.

 

[Beekissed]

Shortness of breath upon exertion and swollen lower extremities are classic symptoms of congestive heart failure that is not bad enough to have fluid backed up into the lungs or to cause cardiac insufficiency to the head but just enough to cause third compartment syndrome wherein fluid lies in interstitial areas like the lower extremities or the abdominal cavity. If the patient just had shortness of breath upon exertion, one might say they merely had ascites from possible liver or renal disease but to have swelling/dependent edema in the lower extremities as well would seem to indicate a deficiency in the cardiovascular system.

Upon an necropsy, one might find the right ventricles of the heart somewhat larger than the left, which would cause incomplete closing of the heart valves in that area.

 

[speckledhen]

Well, whether he does or doesn't have some heart insufficiency, there's really nothing much I can do for him in that regard. He must be a rooster. So when his feet are healed and the coldest weather has passed, he will go back to the coop (as soon as we divide it up so Rex can't get at him). And if he drops dead doing his daily roosterly duties, then that is the way he'll go, being as he is meant to be.

 

[crazyhen]

Well, whether he does or doesn't have some heart insufficiency, there's really nothing much I can do for him in that regard. He must be a rooster. So when his feet are healed and the coldest weather has passed, he will go back to the coop (as soon as we divide it up so Rex can't get at him). And if he drops dead doing his daily roosterly duties, then that is the way he'll go, being as he is meant to be.

Amen, I like to let mine live it out with the flock unless its a dire catching problem. Can you believe that we are under a freezing-rain and sleet forcast to hit us tomorrow. Maybe some snow at the last. I'd much rather have two ft. of snow than what they are telling us we could get. Freezing rain and sleet puts the power out here on the coast and no one is use to driving in that mess. The kids will be out of school though and they love it, Today I am preparing getting water in, making veg. soup that is easily warmed up, and some chili for the same reason. That with some bread and light snacks will keep us going. I will make a peach cobbler early tomorrow morning. My D. lives next door so I will have extra eaters.

. she does not have a wood heater so if the power is out they will be here. My Mom will too. They have no other heat but electric. Give me a good wood heater and I am a happy camper.

 

[speckledhen]

Had two pitbulls invade our space today. Never saw them before, a massive milk chocolate colored female and what I believe was her own few-months-old male pup. They were right at the main chicken fence wagging their tails, but I don't trust any strange dog, especially one like those. The female was the biggest pit I'd ever seen; in fact, at first I thought she was a male because of her size, then noticed she'd been nursing in the not too distant past, so figured the other was her son.

Rex got the hens underneath the coop, but Scout, Isaac's Delawegger son, stood out front in the middle of the pen, tall and ready to do what, I"m not sure, but he sure did what he was supposed to do, both of them did. Good boys. If those dogs had gone down 40 more feet, they'd have gotten to a not-as-secure place where a giant oak fell on the back corner and crushed the fence some. We shored it up, but it needs more work. If they'd gotten into the pen, my entire main flock would probably have been slaughtered. My husband came and encouraged them to leave. They appeared to be in excellent health and full weight. Hope someone didn't dump those poor dogs. Now, we'll have to be on guard in case they come back, darn it. I warned the woman across the driveway from us to keep her fat little Boston Terrier inside. They could kill her in a heartbeat if they wanted to.

 

[crazyhen]

No dogs bother my flock any more. The people next door in the mtns are to busy with alcohol and drugs to tend to dogs. I think they have a yapper inside. On the other side there is a fine couple with dogs. The dogs never come over. They are quite old.
I'm really liking my del. roo better and better. He is so good to his flock of hens.
I wish the weather people would get it straight. Now they are saying sleet and freezing rain .

I really wanted snow. The kids need snow. I want the power to stay on.!!!!!!!!!!!!!