Our youngest rooster, an OEGB hatched this spring, I think, has developed what seems to be a disease.
Here are his symptoms:
- Darkened head and wattles -- they're a dark purple color. He's had this for a while. At first I thought it was frostbite, but none of the other roosters have it.
- Drooping tail. Although I don't think this is an actual symptom, his tail is crooked and hangs toward the right side. All I can think is that he broke it (maybe from being jerked on his tail too hard?)
- Ruffled feathers. He's all puffed up and one or both of his wings droop. There's not much reason for this, since it is a beautiful December day at 50-something degrees Fahrenheit here.
- Won't run away from me. Normally this rooster runs away when I approach him, but now even when I lean down and put my hand right next to him, his extent of movement is a few halfhearted steps forward.
I'm not sure what to do. From what I can see, his comb and wattles are not swollen and he's not drooling or anything -- but I'm not positive. I can check.
The closest illness I can find to his symptoms is Fowl Cholera, and it sounds scary.
Thanks!!!
Here are his symptoms:
- Darkened head and wattles -- they're a dark purple color. He's had this for a while. At first I thought it was frostbite, but none of the other roosters have it.
- Drooping tail. Although I don't think this is an actual symptom, his tail is crooked and hangs toward the right side. All I can think is that he broke it (maybe from being jerked on his tail too hard?)
- Ruffled feathers. He's all puffed up and one or both of his wings droop. There's not much reason for this, since it is a beautiful December day at 50-something degrees Fahrenheit here.
- Won't run away from me. Normally this rooster runs away when I approach him, but now even when I lean down and put my hand right next to him, his extent of movement is a few halfhearted steps forward.
I'm not sure what to do. From what I can see, his comb and wattles are not swollen and he's not drooling or anything -- but I'm not positive. I can check.
The closest illness I can find to his symptoms is Fowl Cholera, and it sounds scary.
Thanks!!!

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