Rooster issue? Insight someone?

[TyRi]

My 22 week old rooster is acting funny. He has always kind of been kinda a slower stay to himself kind of guy since I got the breeding pair at about 12 weeks old. Recently he has been a little more lethargic and sleepy. Takes him a few tries to get on the roost which initially gave me concern. Today he was just laying around half asleep acting like maybe trying to empty his crop? (Opening his mouth and stretching his head forward) He has kinda been doing that a lot too. Today realized after some more examination he is either picking has feathers out or another chicken is. Haven’t really seen him get bullied but above his tail/ lower back is picked pretty good and a few tail feathers. Not picked raw just like feathers are gone in that spot. Checked him all over but didnt see mites or anything. Filled all waters with electrolytes so he was getting them at any station but looking for more direction or if anyone has an idea. Feels odd seeing him sleepy like all day and doing the opening mouth and stretching his head forward. Also has a slight tilt to his head but sometimes is up straight fine like normal. Any input is appreciated!!

 

[Debbie292d]

It almost sounds like part of the problem could be a vitamin deficiency.

I would switch the waterers to some type of vitamin water. We use Poultry Cell or Nutra Drench.

As for the possible feather picking, the number two reasons are from lack of protein or overcrowding.

Have you ever wormed your chickens? That's another possibility for his weakness. Worms and mites can take a chicken down.

 

[TyRi]

It almost sounds like part of the problem could be a vitamin deficiency.

I would switch the waterers to some type of vitamin water. We use Poultry Cell or Nutra Drench.

As for the possible feather picking, the number two reasons are from lack of protein or overcrowding.

Have you ever wormed your chickens? That's another possibility for his weakness. Worms and mites can take a chicken down.

Have not. Went back out there after golfing and he was standing there getting picked at a little so I isolated him and gave him higher protein food and water with electrolytes and also had a vetRx chicken thing that i put a few drops of that in there too. Going to tsc tomorrow to get a dewormer and nutri drench for him. Did another check and didnt see any mites again and his poop looks normal. Every time a look over him he lays down and is motionless and closes his eyes. Hopefully a little isolation he can relax a little and get plenty of food and water.

 

[Debbie292d]

Have not. Went back out there after golfing and he was standing there getting picked at a little so I isolated him and gave him higher protein food and water with electrolytes and also had a vetRx chicken thing that i put a few drops of that in there too. Going to tsc tomorrow to get a dewormer and nutri drench for him. Did another check and didnt see any mites again and his poop looks normal. Every time a look over him he lays down and is motionless and closes his eyes. Hopefully a little isolation he can relax a little and get plenty of food and water.

That was excellent to protect him from them. If he were himself, he'd probably peck back and they'd stop it.

Hopefully soon he'll be himself again! You're doing great!

 

[TyRi]

That was excellent to protect him from them. If he were himself, he'd probably peck back and they'd stop it.

Hopefully soon he'll be himself again! You're doing great!

Appreciate the confidence boost! Only have had chickens for about 7 months so learning on the fly and doing my best!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Sometimes when there is one or more other cockerels or roosters, the more dominant one may take over and the other guy may not feel comfortable eating or drinking. Even hens will go after them. He may be weak from not eating or drinking, but he might have some symptoms of coccidiosis or worms. Valbazen 1/2 ml given orally once and again in 10 days is a good wormer. SafeGuard liquid goat wormer 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 straight days is also good.

 

[TyRi]

Sometimes when there is one or more other cockerels or roosters, the more dominant one may take over and the other guy may not feel comfortable eating or drinking. Even hens will go after them. He may be weak from not eating or drinking, but he might have some symptoms of coccidiosis or worms. Valbazen 1/2 ml given orally once and again in 10 days is a good wormer. SafeGuard liquid goat wormer 1/4 ml per pound given orally for 5 straight days is also good.

He is the only cockerel or rooster in there. I will look into those! Thank you!

 

[TyRi]

UPDATE
Gave him a drench and my local TSC did not have anything really in stock for worming so i gave him some DE and ordered some better stuff. No real change. Let him out of his 4x8 dog pen today and he has spurts of being active but also a good amount of time either one eye or both eyes closed resting standing up or just wherever he is will just stop and close his eyes and stand there. I go in and talk to him move him and he will move around for a bit after I put him down or will just lay down where I put him. Also went out and sprinkled scratch in the run and he was at the door wanting out so I opened the door and he was running all around snacking and then after a bit just back to resting standing. He doesn’t seem necessarily sickly but also not normal. Seems to be quite a confusing bird!

 

[Debbie292d]

UPDATE
Gave him a drench and my local TSC did not have anything really in stock for worming so i gave him some DE and ordered some better stuff. No real change. Let him out of his 4x8 dog pen today and he has spurts of being active but also a good amount of time either one eye or both eyes closed resting standing up or just wherever he is will just stop and close his eyes and stand there. I go in and talk to him move him and he will move around for a bit after I put him down or will just lay down where I put him. Also went out and sprinkled scratch in the run and he was at the door wanting out so I opened the door and he was running all around snacking and then after a bit just back to resting standing. He doesn’t seem necessarily sickly but also not normal. Seems to be quite a confusing bird!

By stronger stuff, you mean you ordered one of those products Eggcessive mentioned for worming?

I'd keep him on the vitamins as that'll help support him for whatever is his issue.

If you got the DE for possible mites, I'd get Permethrin powder, or they make a liquid that you can mix to make a spray too. TSC should have had that as we buy it there for our garden. Ours is called Gardstar Garden and Poultry Dust, but there are several others. We use DE in our coops as a mite deterrent, and that works, but for an infestation, I'd dust them all and the coop with permethrin and repeat it in a week, then probably again a week later, just to be sure. Then monthly, when the chickens aren't in the coop, you could sprinkle the DE around the coop and nesting boxes to keep the mites/lice gone.

If it was for worming, I've read some swear by it, but I wouldn't trust it could do the job well enough or fast enough. They need something stronger that'll work fast.

Hopefully, all you're doing will bring your rooster back to his old self soon!

 

[Yardmom]

How is your cockeral doing? Have you checked to make sure his crop is empty in the mornings? How does his poop look?