Lazy or obese cockerel?

[Mrs. K]

To me, his comb is pale. I am wondering if he has a heart problem, does it ever turn bluish? A heart problem would lead to the resting and panting. I would not be surprised if you got a sudden death syndrome. It often when a bird approaches full size, what ever genetic defect they have, no longer can keep up with the full size body.

I would not breed this rooster. Something is not right, no need to keep whatever the problem is in your flock.

Mrs K

 

[Diveks]

To me, his comb is pale. I am wondering if he has a heart problem, does it ever turn bluish? A heart problem would lead to the resting and panting. I would not be surprised if you got a sudden death syndrome. It often when a bird approaches full size, what ever genetic defect they have, no longer can keep up with the full size body.

I would not breed this rooster. Something is not right, no need to keep whatever the problem is in your flock.

Mrs K

ah, really sad that i might not be able to keep him long term. i don't have much space to keep him seperate from the flock as i already have a pet roo.. he's a gentlemen of a cockerel. i will be watching him as he grow, i was wondering about a heart problem too, don't think ive seen his comb turn bluish. Ill be watching him as he grows if a sudden death does happen then i know something is really wrong.

might just have to raise another roo or just go without hatching eggs. how fast does a vitamin b deficiency improve after given vitamins?

 

[Diveks]

update on him, not sure if im just making it up or what but he seems to be more active!

him laying down too much made me miss out on his personality. He sure is a gentlemen even though he is still a cockerel, friendly towards me too as he knows where the treats come from.

unfortunately he is a scardey cat and will NOT protect his flock. whenever he sees something scary he just runs first. even discovering a new area he won't go until all the girls go first. fortunately not many threats to the chickens where im at, just some stray cats and occasional civets at night (they are already in the coop so there have been no problems with them attacking my flock).

not sure when roos start alerting the flock but for now he will surely sacrifice the hens for his own life . hoping the head hen will alert if a hawk is near, there has been some sightings of them around the city lately.

 

[Diveks]

Update: he has stopped laying down a lot. Unfortunately after some considerations i will not be breeding him and sadly will be giving him away to a friend. Firstly from around 10-14 eggs i got he was the 1 out of 3 that hatched (local not shipped). And he was the only one that survived.

One had nutrient absorbing issue (i think?) and never grew. The other one had digestion issues and had issues defecating and died soon after. So now that i think of it, it might have been a genetic issue the parents had. So to keep the offspring healthy i think won’t breed him.