Questions about my rooster

[holderh]

I have a rooster that is about 5 years old.

For several weeks now I would look out in the yard and see him lying down. when I would go check on him he would get up and move on. He would always act normal and he looks healthy.

This morning he was eating, mating , being normal until this afternoon. I noticed him lying down and when I went to check on him his body was shaking and he was weak. He has trouble standing and will gap his mouth at times.

There are no wounds, no nasal or eye discharge, his feathers and eyes are shiny.. all the other chickens are fine. They are 100% free range.

I’m sure he isn’t going to make it, but I wondered if anyone had any thoughts as to what it could be. They run loose with my dogs and horses, so I guess he could have gotten stepped on but since he’s been lying down off and on for weeks I don’t think it was that. I would also assume it could be something he ate, but he’s the only one with these symptoms and I would imagine if he got into something the hens would have too.

I did have some beat pulp pellets and alfalfa pellets that were spilled and got rained on that the chickens got Into but that was about a week ago. Could that be it? It wouldn’t explain him lying down a lot previously though.

I would appreciate any thoughts. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds more like a heart problem. What do you feed him? When you feel his chest is he chunky or can you feel his breast bone?

 

[holderh]

He isn’t overly fat.. but not under weight either.

 

[holderh]

He eats layer pellets with the girls and whatever he can find free ranging .

 

[rebrascora]

Is there any swelling of his legs? I'm thinking there is a possibility of gout if he has been on layer feed all his life. The extra calcium can eventually catch up with them and damage their kidneys. That might explain why he is lying down often and may explain the tremors but that he is also able to get about and mate still. Gout flares up and eases I believe.
Can you post a photo of him in case there is something which you may be used to seeing but that we might think strange.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

He eats layer pellets with the girls and whatever he can find free ranging .

Layer feed can shorten a roosters life in my opinion. Mine would routinely die at 4-5 years of age when fed a layer. The first sign was lethargy, and general all over sluggishness. I recommend switching to an All Flock ration with a separate bowl of oyster shells for the calcium needs, and hopefully you rooster will start to improve.

Back a couple of years ago I saw my oldest buff Orpington slowly going down that road that all my big roosters had gone. I figured he was a goner. I switched feed and he slowly improved and is still going strong. Not saying for sure it will make yours better but getting him off that extra calcium is always a good idea.

 

[holderh]

Sadly, he died through the night. Thank you both for your comments. That makes a lot of sense that it could be the layer pellets.

I will look into another feed. Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sadly, he died through the night. Thank you both for your comments. That makes a lot of sense that it could be the layer pellets.

I will look into another feed. Thank you!

Sorry to hear that.

 

[rebrascora]

I too am so very sorry you lost him.