Rooster acting strange

[JanetMarie]

Is his oil gland blocked? If so it will be swollen and uncomfortable.

 

[kelleyayers1]

Here are some more, hopefully better pictures. I got looking more and found this smaller bump on the top rather than on the sides. The top one is for sure hurting him a lot more based on how he reacted to people touching it.

 

[kelleyayers1]

Anyone able to tell anything else with the new pictures? Wondering if I should keep him inside and away from the hens for a bit.

 

[leighks]

Chickens have an oil gland at the base of their tails. It’s hard to tell for sure by the pics, but if it’s just 1 “bump” it’s probably normal (google chicken oil gland tail and check out the images to compare).

In the first pic you posted I thought I saw a pin feather, maybe he’s uncomfortable from molting? I haven’t heard of that reaction before though, but who knows, chickens can be weird. Did he settle down as the day went by?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings kelleyayers1,

Here is a picture of a naked chick. So there is no mistaking, where the preen (uropygial) gland is located.

The lumps or bumps you are concerned about, are not the preen gland, correct?

In the last photo, the shape of the lump, appears linear. Are any of the lumps involving the feather follicle? Do you see any eruptions on the skin, near the lumps, like when a mosquito bites?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm not seeing a whole lot in the pics. Some small, non-inflamed bumps, and probably the preen gland by the tail.

I'm not seeing evidence of fly strike...that looks a whole lot uglier.

On thinking about it, have you considered "Crazy Chick" syndrome?

While unusual in backyard flocks on bagged feed, it is possible, especially if he is a junior that is being hazed a bit, or the feed is a bit old.

Crazy Chick Syndrome is caused by vitamin E deficiency. It can cause tremors, head shaking, and erratic behavior.

The cure is pure vitamin E supplementation.

A thought. I'll post some articles below.

LofMc

https://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-help/Encephalomalacia-Overview-H376.aspx

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/encephalomalacia

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

He is trying to sleep but keeps shaking his head which is waking him up.

The times that my roosters were shaking their heads back and forth was after they had gotten in fights. I assumed it was because they were in pain. Also, I saw one doing it after he got some frost bite.

 

[Salamander1914]

That looks to me like the oil gland... I'd say that looks alright.

 

[chuckachucka]

It's still not clear what those other lumps are. Being on both sides at his back end they kind of look like just his pelvic bones but obviously it could be something completely different. Do they feel hard or squishy? Do they seem to move around under the skin? Does he react in pain when you touch them?

Without seeing the lumps I was thinking maybe parasites because of the behaviour you described.

I have a pullet I attempted to fit a diaper on so she could live indoors (long story) but she hated it. When she was wearing the thing made of elastic and cloth (a design I have used on a previous chicken with no problem) she freaked out and flapped everywhere and went into reverse until she hit a corner and then hid there. This was presumably because she felt like she was being weighed down or physically impeded/crippled by the presence of a foreign object. Is it possible your roo has something stuck on him or in his skin elsewhere? Something bothering his feet or his wings?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Where on the body are you finding the lump-it's hard to tell the orientation of the lumps in the photos? The sides and one on the back? Are the in the same place on both sides?

What do the lumps feel like - soft, hard, squishy? Does he have an odor?

Was he vaccinated for Mareks?