Old age or something else?

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

My cockerel is approximately 4 years old and has been through a severe moult...but now is very lethargic and it’s almost like his body cant be supported by his legs so he wobbles like he has arthritis and spends a lot of time sitting down or sitting on his knees/bum. Normally, you cant get within a metre of him before he clocks you and today he basically sat between my legs while i stroked him and gave him some food. Ive been checking on him every couple of hours and taking photos - is he just getting old or is it something more serious?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

What do you feed him?

 

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

What do you feed him?

A mixture of layers pellets and corn

 

[Shadrach]

Four years old isn't very old. Ten or twelve years old is an average lifespan for Bantams for example. I've got eight and nine year old hens still laying eggs.
I would give him a thorough checking over.

 

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

Four years old isn't very old. Ten or twelve years old is an average lifespan for Bantams for example. I've got eight and nine year old hens still laying eggs.
I would give him a thorough checking over.

Checking for what? Is there anything i should be looking for specifically? He is eating as normal and drinking - just finding it difficult to walk...

 

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

Four years old isn't very old. Ten or twelve years old is an average lifespan for Bantams for example. I've got eight and nine year old hens still laying eggs.
I would give him a thorough checking over.

We think hes about 4 years - we bought him at a market and the owner left before it started so he could be older.

 

[Shadrach]

Check to see if there is anything unusual in his shit, large change in colour, or texture.
Does his vent look normal?
Check for mites and lice,although I doubt either would hinder him walking.
Is he eating normally?
I think if you're in the USA there is a supplemet called nutri drench. It might be worthwhile giving him this.
Has his comb always looked like that?
If you can't find anything obvious then the best bet is to take him to a vet.

 

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

Check to see if there is anything unusual in his shit, large change in colour, or texture.
Does his vent look normal?
Check for mites and lice,although I doubt either would hinder him walking.
Is he eating normally?
I think if you're in the USA there is a supplemet called nutri drench. It might be worthwhile giving him this.
Has his comb always looked like that?
If you can't find anything obvious then the best bet is to take him to a vet.

His poo is more runny than normal.
His vent looks normal other than a little bald (maybe from the moult)
I applied mite powder to the coop and run and all my chickens on the weekend and none seem to be affected.
He is still eating normally and drinking well
I live in Cornwall, UK.
It has always had some disclouration but it does look darker at the back than normal
Any ideas? Thank you

 

[SpringbankFamilyFarm]

Check to see if there is anything unusual in his shit, large change in colour, or texture.
Does his vent look normal?
Check for mites and lice,although I doubt either would hinder him walking.
Is he eating normally?
I think if you're in the USA there is a supplemet called nutri drench. It might be worthwhile giving him this.
Has his comb always looked like that?
If you can't find anything obvious then the best bet is to take him to a vet.

His poo is more runny than normal.
His vent looks normal other than a little bald (maybe from the moult)
I applied mite powder to the coop and run and all my chickens on the weekend and none seem to be affected.
He is still eating normally and drinking well
I live in Cornwall, UK.
It has always had some disclouration but it does look darker at the back than normal
Any ideas? Thank you

 

[rebrascora]

Do you have any other roosters or cockerels? That comb looks like he has been fighting or been pecked. Have you added any new birds to the flock in the past few months? My two thoughts are gout caused by a diet of layer pellets or an outbreak of Marek's due to the stress of moulting and/or being challenged by another male bird.
There is a product called Nutri Drops here in the UK which is made by Nettex. It comes boxed in a little bottle with a dropper and is a vitamin tonic that you can give them a few drops of directly into their beak and/or put into their water. You should be able to source some at your local feed store or online. I think it is very similar if not the same as Nutri Drench in the USA.
It would also be worth checking the soles of his feet for any bumblefoot infection and it looks like he has a bit of scaly leg mites so a soak in a warm Epsom salts bath and a gentle scrub with an old tooth brush or similar then dried and slathered with petroleum jelly or any other thick greasy product.... I have Protection Plus [ink salve for my horses and that works well and Vick's Vapour Rub also works well.

He will most likely get sores on his hocks from sitting down on them and that can then get infected quite easily so he may benefit from being put into a chicken sling to support his weight. They can be made quite simply from everyday items..... see below.
You need to adjust the fabric so that his feet just touch the bottom otherwise they can panic and food and water pots (empty yoghurt pots work well) can be clipped to the front for him to reach himself.