Listless rooster not eating

[FreeBirthMama]

For 3 days now Fred hasn't been acting himself. The first 2 days I had to bring him down off the perch mid-morning because he wasn't coming down on his own. But he's been getting himself back up on the perch at night. This morning he jumped when I came to get him, but he crashed. He got up and walked away, didn't seem injured. He's not crowing, or strutting, or acting right. His crop is empty. I found what might be diarrhea on the coop floor under his perch. I've put him in my brooder alone for now. Gave him dry food, water with ACV, and oatmeal with probiotics. He's not touching anything, just standing there with his neck tucked in, hunched over. He has a growth on the side of his head that has been there for months. I've never been able to identify what it is, just figure its a tumor. It's never affected his behavior before, so it may not even be related. What else can I do for him? He's not hand tame, catching him and keeping him in isolation is stressful for him. Oh, he's about 1.5-2 years old I think (according to the guy who gave him to me this spring)

 

[bbdean]

That huge round mass behind his eye in the picture looks like it may be a sinus infection. Does not look normal to me. I would see a vet post haste. He needs some antibiotics to clear that up.

 

[Eggcessive]

That's a big ole tumor or abscess that is covering his ear and face. Has Fred had any nasal drainage, congestion in his chest, wheezing, or coughing that might point to a respiratory disease? Tumors and cysts can be common in chickens, but in some diseases such as Mareks and lymphoid leukosis, they are part of the diseases. Does Fred have any bumblefoot, swelling of his feet, legs, or joints where he could be hurt? Have there been any respiratory infections in your other chickens? You can try to lance the swelling and see if you can squeeze any pus out of it. If there is just blood, it would probably be a tumor. Offer him a little chopped or raw egg, canned tuna, or buttermilk on some bread crumbs--those can be tempting for sick chickens.

 

[FreeBirthMama]

Forgot to mention the vet is not an option.

No discharge or congestion that I know of. No bumblefoot, or other apparent leg injury. He does have a bit of leg scaling, I have to treat them all for mites.

I did have another hen sneezing a while back, but she is better now. Fred doesn't appear to have any wheezing like she did.

I'm nervous about lancing the tumor, I wouldn't know where to start! I have a scalpel, do I just make a tiny slice in the center of the lump? His ear is swollen shut on that side, has been since the tumor appeared. It hasn't changed in size for months.

I do have a package of tetracycline hydrochloride in the freezer. I think I would have to give it to him by syringe though and that would be terribly traumatic for him.

I'll try some egg and tuna.

 

[FreeBirthMama]

I couldn't convince Fred to eat or drink all day. He gets upset when I get too close, but otherwise he just sits or stands there. He's had a couple bits of diarrhea too. Should I give him the tetracycline forcefully? Any other ideas?