RCCheshire
In the Brooder
I have a black copper maran rooster named Fred. According to the person we acquired Fred from, he is around a year and a half old. Since Saturday, Fred hasn't been acting normal. He is usually extremely friendly and runs to me whenever I come out with treats. Saturday, he did not. He pecked around at the ground, but he never came over for any food from me.
Monday morning I noticed he did not come out of the hen house when I opened their door. I had to open the big door and coax him out and I noticed his face and comb were a lot darker than normal - almost turning purple. Monday night, he did not get on the roost pole. He slept in the corner of the henhouse on the ground. Which some of our hens do - but usually he has his specific spot on the roost pole.
Last night, he did not roost on the pole either. This morning, I opened the door and noticed I didn't see him moving around. I opened the door and he was just sitting there. His face and comb are definitely purple now. When he tries to walk, he stumbles and gives up. He tried to crow and no real noise came out. It's heartbreaking.
I told my husband to go home and see what he thought. He said he would look at him and see if he thought we should cull him or bring him in and give him a chance. I assumed he would immediately cull him after seeing how pitiful he is. Well, he didn't (thankfully - but I hate seeing him suffer). He brought him inside and got him some chick feed and some water with electrolytes.
My question is - are there chickens that have these symptoms that ever pull out of this? Everything I've read and researched basically has me convinced that he is going to die. As far as a rooster goes, he's not the best. He doesn't fertilize eggs, he really doesn't protect the hens very well and he gets a little cocky. But he's an awesome chicken and very friendly to me and my daughter.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm expecting the worst but cautiously hoping he comes out of this. Thanks in advance!
Monday morning I noticed he did not come out of the hen house when I opened their door. I had to open the big door and coax him out and I noticed his face and comb were a lot darker than normal - almost turning purple. Monday night, he did not get on the roost pole. He slept in the corner of the henhouse on the ground. Which some of our hens do - but usually he has his specific spot on the roost pole.
Last night, he did not roost on the pole either. This morning, I opened the door and noticed I didn't see him moving around. I opened the door and he was just sitting there. His face and comb are definitely purple now. When he tries to walk, he stumbles and gives up. He tried to crow and no real noise came out. It's heartbreaking.
I told my husband to go home and see what he thought. He said he would look at him and see if he thought we should cull him or bring him in and give him a chance. I assumed he would immediately cull him after seeing how pitiful he is. Well, he didn't (thankfully - but I hate seeing him suffer). He brought him inside and got him some chick feed and some water with electrolytes.
My question is - are there chickens that have these symptoms that ever pull out of this? Everything I've read and researched basically has me convinced that he is going to die. As far as a rooster goes, he's not the best. He doesn't fertilize eggs, he really doesn't protect the hens very well and he gets a little cocky. But he's an awesome chicken and very friendly to me and my daughter.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I'm expecting the worst but cautiously hoping he comes out of this. Thanks in advance!
