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

[ronott1]

Looks like Isaac will be losing the end of his inner toe on the left foot. The other day, it was cracked across the top at the joint above the nail and bleeding, probably from flexing at the juncture of crusty black skin and good skin, maybe while mating a hen. Looked to be almost to the bone, so we bandaged and re-bandaged. It turned just crusty but seemed to be holding. Today, the nail was completely turned inward to the side, almost like at the joint, it had disconnected and swiveled to the inside. I guess he'll lose it at that joint. He has gauze and vet wrap and antibiotic ointment. They'll be staying inside tomorrow anyway since we're getting some snow, they say. There is one other toe that is a bit crusty on the other foot, but not anywhere like this one. We bandaged that one again, too, just in case.

I hope it heals nicely!

 

[speckledhen]

Me, too. The old guy has been through the wringer this winter. We didn't get any snow, but it's cold and windy so he didn't need to go outside.

 

[wekiva bird]

I hope it heals nicely!

x2

 

[seminolewind]

So how is Isaac? Hope it's not too late to ask. I think rooster are so pathetic when they're sick. My heart just bleeds for them. Maybe it has something to do with how little they matter to the public.

My husband thought it was too lonely for my 3 bachelors to not have hens, so I'm raising 9 pullets for them. I have 1 Black JG, his Blue son, and the rest are Polish.

I was wondering how old a chicken has to be to be considered a senior. I have 4 hens that are 6.5 years old and still laying. But so many more never made it to that age. It's really hard to figure out when they're really considered old. I guess if they have arthritis or poor circulation , that's signs of old age, LOL.

Hope Isaac is doing well. I just happened across this thread.

 

[speckledhen]

So how is Isaac? Hope it's not too late to ask. I think rooster are so pathetic when they're sick. My heart just bleeds for them. Maybe it has something to do with how little they matter to the public.

My husband thought it was too lonely for my 3 bachelors to not have hens, so I'm raising 9 pullets for them. I have 1 Black JG, his Blue son, and the rest are Polish.

I was wondering how old a chicken has to be to be considered a senior. I have 4 hens that are 6.5 years old and still laying. But so many more never made it to that age. It's really hard to figure out when they're really considered old. I guess if they have arthritis or poor circulation , that's signs of old age, LOL.

Hope Isaac is doing well. I just happened across this thread.

So sorry I didn't see your post until now, Karen! Isaac is doing fine. He lost three or so toenails and the ends of two toes, but he seems in fine spirits, enough to keep Deacon from bothering the hens they share. He's sweet and cheerful and drops off to sleep as soon as he settles on the roost every night like an old man nodding off in his recliner.

I call him old because I never hear of a Delaware rooster over 5 years old, it seems. He does have severe arthritis on one hock joint and it doesn't bend well, making roost time a little difficult, and his breeding attempts are, well, half-hearted at best. I had put one of Georgie's eggs under my latest broody and it was not fertile.

 

[seminolewind]

LOL, I have a silkie roo who is 6 years old and really can't do the job either!

I'm glad to hear he's fine. You certainly get attached to those hen men! They are so pathetic when they don't feel good.
Isaac is a beautiful boy!

 

[speckledhen]

Thought I'd post photos of Isaac from today. He'll be 6 in February. The old man is still kicking! His arthritis in his right hock joint is progressing, so he runs in the oddest way. The Hitler walk he has is mostly just him, but some of it is due to his arthritic joints. He has trouble with mating because with the missing toe ends along with his arthritis, there are issues with his balance, but I saw him breed Georgie yesterday with one foot firmly planted on the ground, so he's still making it happen. His crow is strong and he seems really good.


He's going "gray", getting more white in his tail with every molt, marking the years. I think he's still a stud muffin, though, my good buddy. He has found something he won't willingly share with the hens-zucchini bread! He loves that. The photo below mirrors the painting of him that is my avatar.



If you can see this, here are brief videos of the old guy. Best to let it buffer a bit then it runs better.
http://vid673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/Mtnviewpoultry/Video Clips/DSCN4234_zps2b0b9436.mp4
http://vid673.photobucket.com/albums/vv95/Mtnviewpoultry/Video Clips/DSCN4233_zps055fdd74.mp4

 

[Happy Chooks]

He looks great Cyn, very healthy looking!

 

[speckledhen]

Thank you, Kelly. I think so, too. And earlier this spring, I felt like this would be his last year with us. It may be, but he's strong and alert and seems his normal self other than the obviously painful arthritis. He's such a love.

 

[speckledhen]

It appears that Isaac is a daddy again! The chick at the front/left, depending on which pic you're looking at, belongs to Georgie and it's very doubtful that Deacon is the sire from what I've observed. Ike has figured out how to breed his hens while keeping one foot on the ground, in deference to his diminished balance from losing his two toe tips. The broody mama is Dottie. The other chick at the back belongs to Delia and Rex, both Delaware x BR, from which I did not expect a white chick.