NOT Emerg. But what's up with this rooster?

[mediazeal]

This little Golden Penciled Hamburg Roo is a pet. He is not used for breeding. He is very nicely tempered and hangs out with my laying flock. He's not high in the pecking order, even being the only rooster, so he does not ever crow. I've never heard him crow at all. Just sweet little throaty chortles.

He has some kind of structural or neurological problem and I'm interested in what you all think it is.
He does not fly and has limited jumping ability. He might have been able to jump better when much younger as I didnt' notice these issues til he feathered out after like 2-3 months of age. He's 8 months old now.

He can only jump up about a foot at a time, so I built him a ladder to get on the roost with the girls. He does great with that. They can sometimes dump hiim off the roost with too much jossling, but he just gets back on. (he only gets bumped off onto the poop board a foot below).
When he runs he holds both wings out for balance perhaps. I thought he might have been favoring one side a little for awhile but he looks more even to me lately.

His wings droop, like they are not on him quite right.

here's his pic. Any ideas? I thought maybe he had a mild stroke.

 

[purpletree23]

His face has little color, his tail is droopy and it looks like he is missing feathers on his back near his behind. Have you checked him for have mites or lice? Has he always looked 'sickly'?

Does he have access to food and water without being bullied by the other chickens? It's a start. Others might have more ideas than I do.

 

[Sir Birdaholic]

Looks like some feather loss around his comb. I would check for mites also.

 

[mediazeal]

Ok, he had to suffer the indignity of a thorough mite check. No mites or bugs of any kind.
Why do his wings hang as they do? They have always been this way.

I wonder if he doesn't process nutrients the same as most birds or if he just had a stroke, has some kind of genetic malnormality, etc.
If I need to add something to his diet or get him some meds I'd be glad to

and I'm curious about his condition.
He does not appear to be uncomfortable or in any danger right now, but if he has some thing that needs to be treated...

any ideas?

 

[usschicago1]

i would bring him in and give him a bath to start. Always find things wrong when you washing. Let dry inside though to avoid shock

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
He had feathers around his comb til he got new pin feathers in this winter.... I guess he dropped some too.
He has been 'sickly' his whole adult life, and by that I mean when he got his rooster feathers and didn't just look like all the pullets. There is a pretty dramatic difference as you look at his earlier photos. Which is why I think he has some kind of genetic/degenerative thing going on.

He was raised with the other chickens from a batch I hatched, so he is well accepted. No one picks on him at all, he eats what he wants, when he wants. He can get to the treats etc without getting pecked or really pushed out of the way. He is good about giving way when I had maran cockerels still in the coop (they were 4 weeks younger but of course got bigger) or in the jousting on the roost as he can get knocked off, so he tries to avoid the bumping around.

At 8 weeks or so

Here he is at 13 weeks He was able to get to the roost with the girls at this stage, about 3 months old. He's looked like this from not long after this photo.

 

[purpletree23]

His eyes in the newer picture seem droopy or tired. I'm also concerned about the feather loss around his face and ear. I'm thinking mites or lice. If he does have them they would cause anemia, weight loss and just that yucky look. I agree about giving a bath. Use Adams flea and tick shampoo and rinse really well.

Has he ever been wormed? If there are no mites or lice I would suggest worming him and the rest of the group.

You don't say what part of the country you are in and what kind of weather you are experiencing. A bath could be a big help but could also cause a lot of trouble if it is very cold where you are even if you make sure he is dried VERY well with a towel and then blow dry on low setting. After the bath put him in an laundry basket or dog carrier with a heating pad on low and make sure he has enough room to make up his own mind as to whether he wants to stay on the heating pad or get off. Give him some old clean towels or rags to lie on.

Comparing the two pictures I think he is sick or infested. I don't think he's had a stroke or has anything genetically wrong.

Let us know how he does.

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Ok, we will try a bath. Won't hurt and would be great if it would help.
Will it hurt his 'place' in the group to keep him inside overnight to dry completely?

I have 9 birds. They have all been together this whole time. Wouldn't more than 1 bird show any symptoms if it was pests?
I'm in Sacramento. We've had some cold weather lately, but he was like this long before it got cold.

What about not being able to fly? or jump up on the roost? you think all these symptoms could be pests? wow!

 

[chookchick]

You could try giving him poly-visol drops, this works well for chicks that are a little "behind". I am not sure how much for his size--maybe 3 drops a day? Do his poops look normal? Does he have a good appetite?

 

[mediazeal]

Quote:
Poops are normal, eats well. Drops are a really good idea.
Enjoys free ranging, seems active enough. Easily jumps his way up the ladder in one foot jumps to get to the roost at night. Holding his own in the flock. He is especially happy that there are 2 new younger chickens that are lower in the pecking order than he is. He gives them chase just enough to show he is higher but does not ever peck them. They actually sleep cuddled up to him on the roost.

So, never gave a chicken a bath before. Any tips? what temp water? put him in the sink with water in it or use the sink's sprayer like a shower?
wet
lather
rinse

Do I have to get ALL of him lathered? head too?
He is so going to hate this.

Let me know any tips, I dont' want to hurt him when I bathe him.
thanks