Please Help my Rooster

[Sean1985]

Hi we have a 17 week old rooster who was crowing and doing everything he was supposed to do. Not sure the breed but we noticed all of the sudden that he is missing a bunch of feathers on his back and tail. He has been losing weight and not crowing. He lives with 7 hens in an indoor coop. There are two stories on the coop but they usually stay on the top floor where the food and perches are. I recently completed the outside pen so they will have outside access.

He is pretty weak but is drinking water a least. I plan on separating him from the flock for a while but other than that I don't know what to do.

 

[6LittleHens]

Do you know if he is eating properly?

 

[Sean1985]

I separated him from the flock with his own food and water. I saw him eat a few minutes ago. His crap seems a bit loose. I also just sprayed some stuff from tractor supply on the skin where the feathers were. I'm just hoping he bounces back. Would the hens suddenly start bullying him for no reason?

 

[enola]

Have you checked him for lice? How long has it been since your chickens were wormed? Make sure he doesn't have some sort of infected wounds.

 

[Sean1985]

I checked the pen for signs of lice. nothing that i could see on his back. none of the hens have any spots. They have not been wormed As far as I can tell the wound is not infected.

 

[enola]

But, he does have a wound?

 

[enola]

You need to check the rooster's body for lice. Around his vent under his wings.

 

[Sean1985]

No wound, it just looks like the feathers are gone and he may have been pecked by hens a little

 

[6LittleHens]

You may have to separate him from your hens until his feathers grow back, he gains wait, and he starts to crow again. The hens might have been pecking him and not allowing him to eat as much as he would like. But normally the rooster would be dominant. Can you post a picture of him?

 

[Sean1985]

Yes I will post one sometime soon, I did separate them for now. I will wait and see what happens