Lethargic Rooster

[Zachm611]

Hello everyone, we have a rooster who we hatched as an experiment from fresh farm eggs.

We put 4 in an incubator and to our surprise one hatched! It ended up being a rooster and the wife wasn't too happy about it as she wanted eggs.. anyways my daughter picked out a silkie hen and my wife picked out a swedish flower hen from a local hatchery.

We obviously have a small flock if you can call it that. Anyways my rooster is about 10 months old and up until this morning he seemed totally fine! He's a good friend to me lol he comes running when I call his name and he's always happy to see me....this morning though I noticed he was slow to come out of the coop, the other 2 hens were out and about... Thought nothing of it really maybe he was just a little sleepy...

A couple hours later I went out to visit the flock and he was out but he really wasn't moving and he didn't make any of the happy noises he usually makes when I walk up, didn't really respond to his name other than to look at me...he pretty much just stood in front of the water and has been steadily drinking it. I gave him some wet chicken feed and he ate some of it but he's just really not acting himself. I'm kinda worried about my friend lol.

We believe he's an ISA brown breed but we really don't know for sure.

 

[alinas2010]

Hello everyone, we have a rooster who we hatched as an experiment from fresh farm eggs.

We put 4 in an incubator and to our surprise one hatched! It ended up being a rooster and the wife wasn't too happy about it as she wanted eggs.. anyways my daughter picked out a silkie hen and my wife picked out a swedish flower hen from a local hatchery.

We obviously have a small flock if you can call it that. Anyways my rooster is about 10 months old and up until this morning he seemed totally fine! He's a good friend to me lol he comes running when I call his name and he's always happy to see me....this morning though I noticed he was slow to come out of the coop, the other 2 hens were out and about... Thought nothing of it really maybe he was just a little sleepy...

A couple hours later I went out to visit the flock and he was out but he really wasn't moving and he didn't make any of the happy noises he usually makes when I walk up, didn't really respond to his name other than to look at me...he pretty much just stood in front of the water and has been steadily drinking it. I gave him some wet chicken feed and he ate some of it but he's just really not acting himself. I'm kinda worried about my friend lol.

We believe he's an ISA brown breed but we really don't know for sure.

Sorry about your boy. Sounds like he isn’t feeling well. How are his droppings? What was his crop like first thing this morning? It should fill up as he eats throughout the day then be full at night when he goes to bed and flat first thing in the morning when he wakes up. Have you checked him very carefully for lice and mites? They like warm spots like under the wings and by the vent.

A picture of him might help.

 

[Zachm611]

Sorry about your boy. Sounds like he isn’t feeling well. How are his droppings? What was his crop like first thing this morning? It should fill up as he eats throughout the day then be full at night when he goes to bed and flat first thing in the morning when he wakes up. Have you checked him very carefully for lice and mites? They like warm spots like under the wings and by the vent.

A picture of him might help.

Thanks for the reply, I'll get a picture of him and check his crop this morning after the sun rises a little more. Yesterday was quite an adventurous day on top of my sick rooster.. my dogs found a bunny nest and one decided to bring a bunny to show us so now we've attempting to help this baby bunny as well and then release it back to the woods assuming he survives to like a month old or so

 

[alinas2010]

Thanks for the reply, I'll get a picture of him and check his crop this morning after the sun rises a little more. Yesterday was quite an adventurous day on top of my sick rooster.. my dogs found a bunny nest and one decided to bring a bunny to show us so now we've attempting to help this baby bunny as well and then release it back to the woods assuming he survives to like a month old or so

Oh no! Baby bunnies are so nutritiously hard to nurture! Good luck. I’m sorry you’re dealing with all this at once. Let us know how he is.

 

[Zachm611]

Here's clucky! He actually crowed a little bit this morning and made a few of his usual noises but he's still acting a bit lethargic. He's with me on the patio right now getting some special wet food and some water with a chicken electrolyte mixed in... The hens sound jealous he's getting special attention lol

 

[alinas2010]

Here's clucky! He actually crowed a little bit this morning and made a few of his usual noises but he's still acting a bit lethargic. He's with me on the patio right now getting some special wet food and some water with a chicken electrolyte mixed in... The hens sound jealous he's getting special attention lol

Handsome fellow. How was his crop this morning? Electrolytes are a good idea.

His comb looks a bit purple on the end, is he having a hard time breathing at all, or are the temps hot there? Are his droppings alright?

 

[Zachm611]

Thanks! And yes I noticed that yesterday it appeared a bit purple... When I had him out on the porch with me it actually went back to a bright red color.

It doesn't appear that he's having a hard time breathing.

As far as the temps it's been mid 80s-low 90s there coop and chicken run is kept under the trees so it's noticeably cooler there.

I haven't seen him poop yet today but yesterday it was a bit watery, I kind of attributed it to the amount of water he was drinking yesterday.

His crop felt soft and squishy, I'm honestly not sure how they're supposed to feel... we're first time chicken parents lol. But it kinda felt like if you squeeze something soft that's self inflating and it would fill back up. I have been giving him wet feed so maybe that's why?

 

[Zachm611]

Here's a picture of his poop Incase anyone can help sorry in advance my phone camera is a potato

 

[alinas2010]

Thanks! And yes I noticed that yesterday it appeared a bit purple... When I had him out on the porch with me it actually went back to a bright red color.

It doesn't appear that he's having a hard time breathing.

As far as the temps it's been mid 80s-low 90s there coop and chicken run is kept under the trees so it's noticeably cooler there.

I haven't seen him poop yet today but yesterday it was a bit watery, I kind of attributed it to the amount of water he was drinking yesterday.

His crop felt soft and squishy, I'm honestly not sure how they're supposed to feel... we're first time chicken parents lol. But it kinda felt like if you squeeze something soft that's self inflating and it would fill back up. I have been giving him wet feed so maybe that's why?

Sounds like he may be doing better today, then? Do be sure his crop is empty first thing in the morning; it should be completely flat. Sometimes comb discoloration can be seen in temperature changes such as on hot days, just be sure he isn’t having a hard time breathing, as it could also indicate circulation issues. I agree his droppings may be watery from the excess water he may be drinking on hot days and the watery feed he’s eating.

Be sure to give him a good once over. Check inside his ears, mouth, and eyes for anything abnormal - bubbles, bumps, smells, yellow lesions, etc.

 

[Zachm611]

I think he's doing a little better but still quite lethargic. What should an empty crop feel like?

I don't see any visual signs that he's having trouble breathing, is there anything I should pay particular attention to in regards to breathing?