Lethargic Rooster, Blocked Crop?

[JoySiegel]

My rooster who is usually very active is totally lethargic. First he seems to always have his eyes closed and now I can walk up and pick him up like he is blind. I just noticed he seems to have a very large lump on his right side of his neck and he is holding his head to the opposite side; like his eye is pointing to the sky.

 

[Judy]

I assume it's separate from the crop? Maybe it is an abscess, and some antibiotics or even draining it are in order, at least if it feels fluid filled. If it is hard, tumor and foreign object come to mind. Really, it's pretty hard to be very helpful online with something like this. I hope you figure it out, or it resolves itself.

 

[JoySiegel]

After reading so many posts everything seems to indicate blocked crop so I have massaged his crop and the big lump seems to have gone down or possibly away. I'm trying to get him to nibble on yoghurt and olive oil with little success. He is resting quietly by himself. How long before he feels better? Should I keep massaging his crop?

 

[Judy]

Hopefully whatever he ate has passed through the crop. I believe I'd feed him things like cooked oatmeal and olive oil, to tr to keep "padding" around it and help it slide. It doesn't sound like massage is needed at this point. Of course this is just pure guesswork. You are in the best position to judge. Hopefully whatever it is will pass on through and eventually solve the mystery for you! Chickens will eat all sorts of strange non-food items; they are famous for eating those strofoam packing peanuts, for example -- which pass uneventfully.

Let us know how everything turns out!

 

[JoySiegel]

I don't think it was blocked crop after all; from handling him so much I discovered he was covered in mites; not deep in his feathers but on the surface so they covered me. Teeny tiny, the size of a pin head; possibly redish. I have continued to force feed with a syringe as he is unable to eat, he seems to have no control of his head. He is stronger and is able to stand now but he stumbles and often has his eyes closed. Any ideas?

 

[Judy]

What are you treating the mites with? They can actually kill a bird in themselves if they are numberous enough, and this may be all that is wrong with him, or at least the main thing. (I would dust with Sevin 5% garden dust, myself.)

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