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My Polish bantam won’t get up

Desertbabies

Chirping
May 8, 2022
19
90
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This is my bantam Polish rooster, Poo. He is 16 weeks old. I noticed he was a little sluggish yesterday but blamed the heat. This morning he wouldn’t come out of his coop to join his 11 siblings. Didnt crow. Didn’t come when I brought breakfast, finally came out and just wants to lay still in the corner of the run. Since he’s the littlest, I thought maybe he was scared of the alpha rooster, so I took him out to free range the yard a bit around 6am. He did not want to move. Very lethargic, crouching, wanted to keep his eyes closed. I’ve had him inside the house in a kennel all day, but he hasn’t improved much. Periodically throughout the day he has taken a few half hearted -hearted pecks at his favorite food (cucumber) and some moistened flock grower crumbles, but that’s it. I put Nutridrench in some water for him and dipped his beak several hours ago, but he won’t willingly drink. I tried plain water, he won’t drink that either. He’s hunched, mostly keeps eyes closed, won’t stand much or move around, and as of this afternoon he seems to not like it if I touch him or pick him up, almost as if it hurts.

No bad smells, crop feels a little squishy but I’m a beginner and don’t really know what a crop should feel like.

This is my first flock (a mixed flock of 12), have had all since a day old, all were raised together from day one. He does have a bald patch on his head because the others pluck at his crest but it’s not bleeding and he’s had it for almost 3 months (have tried BluKote, Peck-No-More, etc).

We’ve had tons of flies recently since monsoon season but I can’t see any evidence of fly strike. No visible mites. He didn’t poop all morning and then finally did twice but it looks normal to me — maybe a little extra white stuff but otherwise firm and brown with green grass bits. Any guesses on where to start? This is my favorite little buddy and I’m very worried. We are very rural and there’s no vet in driving distance that sees chickens.
 

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What other breeds are in the coop?
Is it possible IF the others are bigger, he to trampled a bit?
I know others may not agree with me but IMO I would not put a Polish much less a bantam with a flock of regular sized birds. The Polish I've had experience with, always got their "tuffs" pecked. Polish also have a "soft" spot on the top of their heads so that's another reason I'd keep Polish in a separate coop.

Cucumber is ok since he's not drinking ... Make like a porridge with the grower crumbles, you can give him some Nutri Drench (a drop) straight to his beak. Try some scrambled eggs, tuna or even plain Cheerios ... Plain yogurt may perk him up.

Keep him warm, monitor him ... Wondering if he's an "outcast" and depressed ... I'm just guessing. Hope others chirp in with their thoughts. :hugs
 

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