Limping Cockerel

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I got a new cockerel on Wednesday. He is a 6 month old Dominique called Domino. I added him to my rooster flock, and he fought the leader of my rooster flock (Griffin) and won. Today, after letting him out, I noticed him hiding from the other roosters. I attempted to catch him, and realized he was limping. What should I do for him? Should I just let him heal on his own? Should I separate him from the other roosters? What caused his injury?

 

[micstrachan]

Ugh. I am sorry I am no help. I have a limping pullet. Rest seems to help. I would isolate him to reduce his stress while he heals, preferably where he can still share their space. Could he have sprained a leg jumping off a roost? Have you checked the bottom of his foot?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Pictures:

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If he's not being bothered I would leave him be. Could be an injury which should heal up eventually, or it even could be something like Mareks which can be brought on by stress.

How did you introduce him to the flock? How old are the other roosters?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Ugh. I am sorry I am no help. I have a limping pullet. Rest seems to help. I would isolate him to reduce his stress while he heals, preferably where he can still share their space. Could he have sprained a leg jumping off a roost? Have you checked the bottom of his foot?

I suspect Domino fought with Griffin and lost, and that Griffin chased him around the pen. I think this is how he hurt his foot. He will lay in place, unless he sees Griffin nearby. Then, he'll try to get as far away as possible from him.

 

[micstrachan]

Wait, but he's hiding from the other roosters, right? I assumed they were picking on him. If not, I agree... let him heal with them. If they are chading him and making him run, I'd keep him separate, but near. Anyone else?

 

[micstrachan]

*chasing. Sorry; I'm the worst thumb typist on my phone.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

If he's not being bothered I would leave him be. Could be an injury which should heal up eventually, or it even could be something like Mareks which can be brought on by stress.

How did you introduce him to the flock? How old are the other roosters?

I introduced him to my rooster flock by putting him in a cage within the pen for a day. Most of the other roosters are about 1 year old, but one is closer to 7 months.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

Wait, but he's hiding from the other roosters, right? I assumed they were picking on him. If not, I agree... let him heal with them. If they are chading him and making him run, I'd keep him separate, but near. Anyone else?

I think he is only being chased by Griffin. The others, I'm not sure.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I introduced him to my rooster flock by putting him in a cage within the pen for a day. Most of the other roosters are about 1 year old, but one is closer to 7 months.

I often house new roosters for weeks or months next to the flock before releasing them into a free range flock, pecking order will often get worked out through the fence, otherwise i raise them in the flock. Do you routinely add new roosters to this group?

Some roosters will kill other rooster, especially if the loser can't escape.