Rooster has stopped crowing...

[weyermann]

My beautiful 7-year-old BR rooster has stopped crowing... usually every morning I hear him as he answers the neighbor's rooster(s). Neighbor is down to 1 rooster, rather than 3, so I didn't think much of it. When I go into the coop, he seems to be still sleepy in the am... Seems ok during the day, does his normal stuff (eating, drinking, chasing the girls). Went into the coop last night, and his breathing seemed a bit labored - but I could be overthinking that. Any ideas?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @weyermann Welcome to BYC

If you have photos of your rooster you would like to share that would be great. (poop too if you to it)

Have you checked to see if his crop is empty in the morning before he eats/drinks, no signs of lice/mites. Nothing like canker/plaques/lesions inside the beak.
Pooping o.k.? Any signs of worms?

Have you added any new birds to your flock within the last 30days?
No, I don't think you are overthinking it, if he normally crows often and has stopped, then it's good to investigate. Have you noticed if his comb is turning a tinge of blue/purple with the labored breathing?

 

[weyermann]

His comb is a bit darker than usual.. and I treated him for worms just a few weeks ago. I'm running home at lunch to treat the water with Corid - and hope that that helps.

My birds have been "off" overall - since I had them in the house during the polar vortex a few weeks ago. I've never had them in the house - and they were in a big box (5x7) in my bathroom. I don't think the close quarters for almost 7 days did right by them.

I've treated several bird with ivermectin (including the rooster) but I don't think that got to the root of the problem. (messy rear ends)
Thanks for the help.

 

[SueT]

He's 7 years old, that's getting old for a chicken. We all slow down as we age.....

 

[Wyorp Rock]

His comb is a bit darker than usual.. and I treated him for worms just a few weeks ago. I'm running home at lunch to treat the water with Corid - and hope that that helps.

My birds have been "off" overall - since I had them in the house during the polar vortex a few weeks ago. I've never had them in the house - and they were in a big box (5x7) in my bathroom. I don't think the close quarters for almost 7 days did right by them.

I've treated several bird with ivermectin (including the rooster) but I don't think that got to the root of the problem. (messy rear ends)
Thanks for the help.

What did you use to treat for worms? Ivermectin? That may take care of roundworms and external parasites (lice/mites) but from what I understand it is losing it's effectiveness as a dewormer (resistance).

Corid won't hurt to give even if he does not have a Coccidiosis overload.

They are back outside correct? How much ventilation in your housing - do you have it shut tight?
I do agree, 7yrs old he may be slowing down, but it's best to investigate to make sure there is not something going on that is treatable.