Possible sick rooster. Please help I'm a newbie

[Mobowguy]

I just got four chickens from a lady that is moving and wanted to get rid of them. Well I have one rooster that is I believe 3 years old almost. Makes a gurgling sound and sneezes sometimes. Otherwise acts totally normal. Wakes up in morning crowing eats and drinks as he should... Could this be a disease that is gonna effect the others in the flock? Or is this rooster old and this is a result? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[enoryz]

It may be a respiratory thing going on. You can try some VetRx. Worked on our hen in less than a week.

 

[Georgeschicks]

I would separate him if any more symptoms appear to make sure that he doesn’t infect the rest of the flock.

 

[micstrachan]

I agree he is sick and can infect your flock. Are these new chickens your only chickens or do you have an existing flock? The new ones are already exposed go each other, as are the existing chickens, if you have them. If you have not already done so, you shoukd hold off on integrating the new birds. Even without symptoms, they could expose an existing flock to a detrimental disease (they may have developed immunity, where the unexposed birds have not.) Does that make sense?

 

[Mobowguy]

I agree he is sick and can infect your flock. Are these new chickens your only chickens or do you have an existing flock? The new ones are already exposed go each other, as are the existing chickens, if you have them. If you have not already done so, you shoukd hold off on integrating the new birds. Even without symptoms, they could expose an existing flock to a detrimental disease (they may have developed immunity, where the unexposed birds have not.) Does that make sense?

Makes perfect sense...thank you. I just got these 4 and the coop all came with it. Got them kind of abruptly really so it' t only spot I really have for them except maybe my shed otherwise idk how I would separate them

 

[JedJackson]

I just got four chickens from a lady that is moving and wanted to get rid of them. Well I have one rooster that is I believe 3 years old almost. Makes a gurgling sound and sneezes sometimes. Otherwise acts totally normal. Wakes up in morning crowing eats and drinks as he should... Could this be a disease that is gonna effect the others in the flock? Or is this rooster old and this is a result? Thanks for any help you can provide.

How long has the rooster been gurgling and sneezing?

 

[Mobowguy]

How long has the rooster been gurgling and sneezing?

Not really sure. I just got them last Friday and noticed it the next day when I was feeding them some treats

 

[Mobowguy]

It may be a respiratory thing going on. You can try some VetRx. Worked on our hen in less than a week.

With the VetRx... Do I need to only use on one with symtoms or with the other three since it is likely they have been infected as well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Makes a gurgling sound and sneezes sometimes.

Hi @Mobowguy

Do you have a video of the gurgling and sneezing? (for videos post to youtube or vimeo, then provide us a link)

Check your rooster over for lice/mites and feel the crop to make sure it's emptying overnight. Gurgling could be a crop issue.

How often and when does he sneeze? Sneezing on occasion, especially if he has just been eating/drinking may be just clearing the nostrils of food/water. Is the sneezing accompanied by mucous?

Symptoms of respiratory illness can be brought on by stress, so the move to a new home could be playing a part. Infectious Bronchitis and Mycoplasma are a couple of common illnesses.
Since these chickens came with a coop, check it make sure it has plenty of ventilation, is free of molds, clean up excess droppings and make sure bedding is clean/dry. If it's extremely dusty, then consider vacuuming excess dust out of the coop as well.

All the chickens that came together would most likely carry the same illness ( if they have one), so separation from each other would not be necessary. If you have an existing flock, try your best to keep these new birds quarantined and away from the others until you can determine the cause of the symptoms. Practice bio-security as well - see your flock first, then tend to the new ones. Wash hands/clothes and clean shoes daily to help prevent transfer of dust/particles/illness between flocks.

 

[enoryz]

I would use it on the rooster for now and just keep an eye on the rest. Separating would be good like the others said. We kept our hen in the garage at night and then I made her a little pen to put her in during the day on the side of our house. You can find that stuff at your local feed store or maybe at TSC (tractor supply company).