My old rooster

[Julie C77]

Hi there, I have a 7 year old bantam rooster who I hatched and raised. He is the sweetest little rooster and has taken great care of my hens for all these years. Now he is starting to slow down and I know he is getting old. My question is, is there anything I can do to boost his energy level and make him feel better? He is starting to lag behind the girls. He has always eaten the layer pellets with them but I am wondering if there is a special treat I can give him to make him feel better. I would do anything to help him feel better, have more energy and live longer. Thanks so much for any advice! Julie

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi Julie Welcome To BYC

Do you notice symptoms - like lethargy, not eating well, etc.?
Can you get a photo of his poop?

His slowing down could be just age related and there's not much that you can do.
However, I would gather him up and examine him - look for lice/mites, get a good look at his poop, see that his crop is empty in the morning, look over his legs/feet for anything unusual (bottom of feet too).

You can try some poultry vitamins a couple of times a week to see if those help. Poultry Cell is one that I personally like - direct dose is 1cc per 3 pounds of weight. A boost in protein - egg, fish or meat or if you wish, you can give chick starter. Of course a good rooster is going to call his ladies to get goodies like egg (mine always do) so you probably will have to take him to the side to get him to eat.

Isn't he a sweet looking little guy!

 

[Julie C77]

Hi Julie Welcome To BYC

Do you notice symptoms - like lethargy, not eating well, etc.?
Can you get a photo of his poop?

His slowing down could be just age related and there's not much that you can do.
However, I would gather him up and examine him - look for lice/mites, get a good look at his poop, see that his crop is empty in the morning, look over his legs/feet for anything unusual (bottom of feet too).

You can try some poultry vitamins a couple of times a week to see if those help. Poultry Cell is one that I personally like - direct dose is 1cc per 3 pounds of weight. A boost in protein - egg, fish or meat or if you wish, you can give chick starter. Of course a good rooster is going to call his ladies to get goodies like egg (mine always do) so you probably will have to take him to the side to get him to eat.

Isn't he a sweet looking little guy!

 

[Julie C77]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was holding him this morning and noticed that he did have a little labored breathing. I don’t see any signs of congestion outwardly but he was definitely breathing harder than normal. Also, I haven’t heard him crow today. What do you think the labored breathing could mean?

 

[Waves]

I only want to say that he's an awesome roo
very good care for this long life!

 

[Waves]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was holding him this morning and noticed that he did have a little labored breathing. I don’t see any signs of congestion outwardly but he was definitely breathing harder than normal. Also, I haven’t heard him crow today. What do you think the labored breathing could mean?

has he mucus from the nostrils?

 

[Waves]

how is his comb? normally red, pale, a little purple..?

 

[Julie C77]

has he mucus from the nostrils?

None

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was holding him this morning and noticed that he did have a little labored breathing. I don’t see any signs of congestion outwardly but he was definitely breathing harder than normal. Also, I haven’t heard him crow today. What do you think the labored breathing could mean?

Good question from @Waves
Have you noticed if his comb is it's normal color or getting a bit of purple/blue tint to it?

 

[Julie C77]

how is his comb? normally red, pale, a little purple..?