Lathargic rooster

[Bantamma]

Hi! New chicken owner and my bantam rooster is acting weird. Reading his head against walls, like he's trying to hide. His breathing is slow. His comb and face are a little blue. I am currently holding him wrapped in layers, hoping he's just cold but not sure if it could be more. Has anyone encountered this problem before? What else can I do?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Where are you located?
How old is he?
What are you feeding?
Is he your only chicken?
Is he eating? Drinking? Pooping?
Picture of him standing on his own & his poop, please.

 

[micstrachan]

I would start by bringing him in where it is warm. If that stresses him out, maybe bring a friend with him.

 

[Bantamma]

I would start by bringing him in where it is warm. If that stresses him out, maybe bring a friend with him.

He won't leave the towel, just laying calmly. He looked/ felt cold so I wrapped him up for 3 hours and his comb is normal color. We're in Brentwood California, he's the rooster but we have two hens. They seem fine. I haven't seen him poop, eat or drink today but I do work until 4 which is when I found him. I just gave him some electrolyte/ probiotic infused water by syringe.

 

[micstrachan]

My parents live in Byron (Discovery Bay), so I know exactly where Brentwood is! I'm over in the Santa Cruz mountains (unincorporated Los Gatos). So he's swallowing on his own? How is his breathing now? Have you offered him a favorite treat to entice him to eat a little?

 

[micstrachan]

Also, a sick bird can have trouble regulating their own body temperature, even though we are relatively warm here in California. Having said that, I did notice a turn to cooler weather tonight. Do your birds free range at all and could he have gotten into something?

 

[Bantamma]

My parents live in Byron (Discovery Bay), so I know exactly where Brentwood is! I'm over in the Santa Cruz mountains (unincorporated Los Gatos). So he's swallowing on his own? How is his breathing now? Have you offered him a favorite treat to entice him to eat a little?

This morning he ran from my touch which is normal for him. Going to keep giving him the electrolytes, but he's a free range chicken and we don't normally give him treats. He is swallowing on his own. Looks a little better, thinking he might be dehydrated.