I got a new 20 week old rooster recently who was kept as a house chicken. Over the past week I have been introducing him to the outdoors. I don't know him well enough yet to know what is normal behavior and what is not. He may have been acting a little odd yesterday but I can't be sure.
Last night I picked him up to put him on the roost. He had been sitting by the waterer. A stream of water came from his mouth, but he wasn't gagging. I assumed I pressed on the crop and re-arranged my hands. He let out another, smaller stream. I placed him on the roost and watched for a couple minutes, but he seemed fine. He fluffed up for warmth.
I have been researching crop problems but there are so many options and so many cures. I did know that I should take out his food and check his crop in the morning. This morning I just went to check and his crop felt empty, but maybe a bit "gritty"? What does this mean?
Currently he doesn't have access to food, but I might bring him some water. Is something wrong with him? What do I do?
ETA: I gave him water. Also, he is quarantined from the other chickens and appears to be otherwise healthy and happy. I don't think the previous owner wormed him or did anything similar, and I haven't either. He has not had access to anything but chicken feed, but I haven't been feeding him grit either.
Last night I picked him up to put him on the roost. He had been sitting by the waterer. A stream of water came from his mouth, but he wasn't gagging. I assumed I pressed on the crop and re-arranged my hands. He let out another, smaller stream. I placed him on the roost and watched for a couple minutes, but he seemed fine. He fluffed up for warmth.
I have been researching crop problems but there are so many options and so many cures. I did know that I should take out his food and check his crop in the morning. This morning I just went to check and his crop felt empty, but maybe a bit "gritty"? What does this mean?
Currently he doesn't have access to food, but I might bring him some water. Is something wrong with him? What do I do?
ETA: I gave him water. Also, he is quarantined from the other chickens and appears to be otherwise healthy and happy. I don't think the previous owner wormed him or did anything similar, and I haven't either. He has not had access to anything but chicken feed, but I haven't been feeding him grit either.
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