Rooster Comb is weird and suddenly not eating

[rakeshkarthik]

Hi @Wyorp Rock

A few months ago, you helped me with valuable tips to save some chicks from dying. I cant thank you enough, now they have all grown up and are around six months old. I got to know that they are a local breed in Indonesia called Kampung KUB, a shorter neck version of Chicken Kampung known for their less broodiness & high egg-laying abilities.

I have a few questions:

1. The white rooster's comb appears strange. Sometimes it looks white, and other times it seems to be bleeding red. Is this normal, or is there an issue with this chicken? - have attached some photos for your reference
2. For the past two days, this white rooster has not been eating, just few pecks and then just standing in the corner looking at others. Although it remains active, it shows no interest in food. I don't think it has any respiratory issues, as it is not sneezing or having any discharge from its nose or mouth. I have isolated this rooster as a precaution.
   • Have recently dewormed them and also, none of the chickens are vaccinated, as Indonesian breeds are typically hardy and locals do not usually vaccinate Kampung breeds chickens).
     
3. I initially thought there was one rooster and the rest were hens (that's what the seller said), but it turns out there are three hens and three roosters with me currently. Is having three hens and three roosters an acceptable ratio, or should I consider removing some roosters from the flock? Ofcourse they usually prove their pecking order with hens and chase them away from food mostly, they haven't attacked me yet (like my runner drake), but I believe they might start pecking me in a few weeks.

Appreciate your assistance and looking forward to hearing from you, thanks.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hi @Wyorp Rock

A few months ago, you helped me with valuable tips to save some chicks from dying. I cant thank you enough, now they have all grown up and are around six months old. I got to know that they are a local breed in Indonesia called Kampung KUB, a shorter neck version of Chicken Kampung known for their less broodiness & high egg-laying abilities.

View attachment 3869234

I have a few questions:

1. The white rooster's comb appears strange. Sometimes it looks white, and other times it seems to be bleeding red. Is this normal, or is there an issue with this chicken? - have attached some photos for your reference
2. For the past two days, this white rooster has not been eating, just few pecks and then just standing in the corner looking at others. Although it remains active, it shows no interest in food. I don't think it has any respiratory issues, as it is not sneezing or having any discharge from its nose or mouth. I have isolated this rooster as a precaution.
   • Have recently dewormed them and also, none of the chickens are vaccinated, as Indonesian breeds are typically hardy and locals do not usually vaccinate Kampung breeds chickens).
3. I initially thought there was one rooster and the rest were hens (that's what the seller said), but it turns out there are three hens and three roosters with me currently. Is having three hens and three roosters an acceptable ratio, or should I consider removing some roosters from the flock? Ofcourse they usually prove their pecking order with hens and chase them away from food mostly, they haven't attacked me yet (like my runner drake), but I believe they might start pecking me in a few weeks.

Appreciate your assistance and looking forward to hearing from you, thanks.

Thinking it's fowl pox, I see the same crusty scab on his bit of wattle.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

Does it spread to other chicken? Eg, this rooster has some small white spots in its comb. Anything else that i can do to ensure?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Does it spread to other chicken? Eg, this rooster has some small white spots in its comb. Anything else that i can do to ensure?

Fowl pox goes away on its own within a few weeks. It's caused by mosquitoe bites. It will circulate through the flock, but you don't have to anything for it. It's best to leave the scabs undisturbed.

That looks like dry skin.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

Got it. Thanks for your help

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Does he have any lice or mites on the body?

I'd lean toward this being a fungal infection like Favus. Treat with an anti-fungal cream like Miconazole or Clotrimazole.

Any lesions or white/yellow patches inside the beak?

What did you deworm with - name of product and dose?

What vaccines did he have?

Going to tag in @Eggcessive to take a look too.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with Wyorp Rock that it looks like the fungal infection favus. It will eventually affect feathered areas if not treated and it is contagious to others. As she said, miconazole and clotrimazole are 2 common creams that will treat it. Use disposable gloves to apply it daily.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

Thank you @Eggcessive & @MysteryChicken

To add, this rooster never developed a comb; it has been white and crusted like this since the beginning, while the others recently developed complete combs,

@Wyorp Rock
There are no lesions or patches inside the beak, and I couldn't find mites or lice in his feathers as well. This guy usually loves dust baths.

Please find the photo of the medicine I used for deworming; I did it for my chickens and ducks at the beginning of May by following the dosage info.

All the chickens are unvaccinated, as here in Indonesia they usually vaccinate only the pure egg layers and meat birds. Kampung breeds are a bit hardy, so they usually don't vaccinate them.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you @Eggcessive & @MysteryChicken

To add, this rooster never developed a comb; it has been white and crusted like this since the beginning, while the others recently developed complete combs,

@Wyorp Rock
There are no lesions or patches inside the beak, and I couldn't find mites or lice in his feathers as well. This guy usually loves dust baths.

Please find the photo of the medicine I used for deworming; I did it for my chickens and ducks at the beginning of May by following the dosage info.

All the chickens are unvaccinated, as here in Indonesia they usually vaccinate only the pure egg layers and meat birds. Kampung breeds are a bit hardy, so they usually don't vaccinate them.

Very good. Piperazine is a common dewormer.

Ah, I see. Well, it's o.k. I wouldn't worry too much about the vaccines.

I'd apply some anti-fungal cream and see if that makes a difference.

 

[rakeshkarthik]

Should i keep him isolated or is it fine to be with the flock?