Only Roosters dying (died)

[blackstone]

I was down to 3 roosters and after today it looks like none.

All my hens are healthy and content.
So far.

About 3 weeks ago, one of the roosters looked lethargic and would barely move.
Eventually, he just laid down and slowly died.
Several days ago, another one.
I noticed he came down and sat in the yard. After a while he did get up but he moved like an old man. Then he just laid down and slowly died.

This morning the last rooster has something. I went to feed and let the chickens out. He was laying on one side with one leg sticking straight out.
When I picked him up, he protested but just laid on his side when I put him back down.

There is no sign of attack.

These guys were one year old.

I have looked at the Mareks info here.
In some ways, it looks like it could be Mareks but others don't

Age. These birds are a year old or more.
Source of the disease. No new birds have been brought here in 3 or 4 years.
All were hatched here.

Only roosters affected so far.

As I think back, a few months back I had another one that showed the same symptoms.

Any info would be appreciated

 

[forgetful]

Maybe you could do a biopsy? See if there's anything abnormal going on? Where did your chickens come from? Were they bought, or have they been on your property for a while? It may be something genetic.

 

[blackstone]

This is a 3rd generation that I hatched here, forgetful.
Haven't had any hatchery birds in 4 years, I think..

I certainly don't know the answer but it doesn't seem as though it would be genetic.
Birds are one year old and 4 roosters only over several months.
At first, it could have been fighting although there was no apparent sign of that.
But the last one was all by himself; the last roo.

 

[forgetful]

I suggested genetic because I recall someone's too dying and them finding an enlarged heart to be the cause, and also because it is only happening to the males of your line. I have very little knowledge on genetics, but I thought something similar could be occurring in your males. Absolutely no hens have died?

 

[blackstone]

Only roosters so far.

I was really surprised this morning

The roo had gotten himself out of the chicken fence and came 20 feet towards the house and had perked up quite a bit.

This may be a brief reprieve.
I don't know

 

[ladycat]

I was down to 3 roosters and after today it looks like none.

All my hens are healthy and content.
So far.

About 3 weeks ago, one of the roosters looked lethargic and would barely move.
Eventually, he just laid down and slowly died.
Several days ago, another one.
I noticed he came down and sat in the yard. After a while he did get up but he moved like an old man. Then he just laid down and slowly died.

This morning the last rooster has something. I went to feed and let the chickens out. He was laying on one side with one leg sticking straight out.
When I picked him up, he protested but just laid on his side when I put him back down.

There is no sign of attack.

These guys were one year old.

I have looked at the Mareks info here.
In some ways, it looks like it could be Mareks but others don't

Age. These birds are a year old or more.
Source of the disease. No new birds have been brought here in 3 or 4 years.
All were hatched here.

Only roosters affected so far.

As I think back, a few months back I had another one that showed the same symptoms.

Any info would be appreciated

I answered your question in the original forum you posted in. You didn't mention here that they are broilers, and people need to know that to answer properly.

 

[blackstone]

Sorry, I asked this question several places where I mentioned Slow Whites.
Thanks for pointing that out.
I'll be more diligent next time

 

[blackstone]

Another update.
He's standing but pretty wobbly and sort of drooping hang dog look.
He's moved around some on his own

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Were you feeding layer feed?

 

[blackstone]

I was feeding them layer.
I have always fed hens and roosters the same feed.

My chickens free range and are closed in only at night so they don't eat as much feed