I am just wondering what you all think here. I am very worried about my rooster. He is just not acting right. I am not a stay at home mom (so to speak) but allow them their freedom during the day. Monday they had to stay in all day, (they have a run for days such as these) and when I went to let them out on Tuesday morning, Chase, (the rooster) was just standing by the door. when I opened the door he stayed right there. Very unusual behavior for him. I felt him around and thought that his crop felt hard. I put in a the infirmary (small cat cage) for the day with water. I had to leave for work. My daughter checked on him through the day and he was just laying in there. When my husband got home he was standing and had spilled his water. So he filled his water and gave him some food. (he did not know what I was doing really) just thought he needed some food. Now his crop is empty and I yesterday he was out all day with everyone. My daughter went to check on him and he was not in the coop, she figured he was feeling better and on the prowl. When I get home it is nearly dark, and he is laying in the corner of the coop instead of roosting. I felt his crop, it was empty, and I am thinking what I thought was a hard lump, is really bone and he has lost a few pounds. Can they loose weight that fast? What I am thinking is... he has been sick for awhile and has shown no signs of it. (which I think is pretty normal) he has not discharge from his nose or mouth. No funny sounds coming from him. His vent looks clear. (there is no messy poo around he feathers) I just really have no idea what to do. I am thinking I will cook him up some eggs this morning and see if he will eat something. He seems to be drinking, though I have no idea how to tell if he is dehydrated. OH, his comb and wattles are red. he does have what looks like it could be an old injury on his comb. just a small black dot. The only other thing I can think of is maybe he just fell off the roost and hurt himself, and just does not feel good. So, what do you think?
I think your egg idea sounds good, or anything he likes really. I dont know if there is anything you can do but keep an eye on him. If there is no obvious injury I would go ahead and let him in with the others. My rooster was out of sorts at some point but recovered in a couple days and I never knew why. Maybe something scared him or he did indeed fall off (or was pushed) and just is sore. Maybe someone else can give better advice, hope he gets better soon.
Thanks for you input ams3651, But Chase passed away this morning. I am very sad for my loss. I just can't believe I did not notice anything till Tuesday. He really did seem normal till Tuesday morning. Ah.... well, my dear sweet daughter is going to try her first necropsy. She put him in the freezer for now. With fair starting on Monday, and the dog show is on Saturday... she has little time. I told her there is some great information here. So, I am sure we will find byc very useful as usual. On the bright side,,, around mothers day, one of my hens hatched out 2 eggs. With any luck, one will be a rooster with his great attitude.
Denise I am sorry to hear about Chase. He was truly nice roo and he never showed any agression towards humans at all. I will miss him the orphan chick that became King. Hopefully his line will live on (maybe the eggs your broody is sitting on). I have some beautiful pictures of him to remember.
I was hoping that one of the two that the marans hen was sitting on was a roo. but it looks like they are both hens. I do have 3 under the broody and 22 in the incubator right now. They are due to hatch on the 29th and 30th. The maran is also broody again, and the BLRW's, both of them, though one of them is at the fair. That might finally break her of her broodiness. She went broody right after the last show and is still broody. with any luck, I will not be brooding any chicks. they can all have a mama. The bantam cockeral tried to crow this morning. what a treat that was to hear, while loading pigs. lol
