ROOSTER laying down...not moving

[Peaky]

I just returned from being away 2 days and went to check on chickens (Have 3 roosters 6 hens)
One of my roosters was standing very quietly inside the coop by himself. Didn't move at all when I entered which is unusual. I picked him up and checked him over....nothing that appears wrong but when I put him down he couldn't stand upright and used his wings to balance himself. I just went to check on him again and he is laying down on the ground (all the others are up on roost where he usually is) and his head is pushed into a corner. I have a terrible feeling that he is going to die tonight. None of my other chickens are sick. This is weird. Any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

That is a lot of roosters together. Sometimes that will fight or spar to challenge for the top spot and get hurt. The least aggressive one may be bullied away from water and food making them week. I would separate him in a dog crate with his own food and water. Before that offer him water in a small cup to drink, and some chopped egg or tuna to drink. Keep him warm if he acts cold. He may have been injured, or he could be showing signs of a vitamin deficiency or Mareks disease. Check to see if he can move either leg or toes. Hopefully, it is not Mareks. Start some poultry vitamins in his water or give him 3 ml of Poultry Cell vitamins. Just make sure any vitamin contains riboflavin (NutriDrench does not.)

 

[venymae]

I'm honestly surprised your roosters have not killed each other yet with the number of roos per hen. Wish I could help you with your issue, but I don't know except what eggcessive said.

 

[Peaky]

I've never noticed the roosters being aggressive towards each other They were born last Easter and raised together, but I suppose they could have had a fight during the last 2 days. Something tells me this guy isn't going to make it. He is the very first chic that I raised in the incubator....out of a total of 7....the other 6 never hatched so his name is Lucky. Not knowing anything about chickens, this is really frustrating. I've already spent so much money on one of my hens, otherwise I'd take him to the ER.

 

[chicknmania]

Roosters can get along just fine. We have had lots of roosters and have never had any "fight to the death " or anything close. Yes they fight to establish a pecking order. I would guess though that your rooster is sick..not injured. Definitely quarantine him and keep him warm as was suggested. Chickens conceal symptoms of illness until they are very ill..it could very well be Mareks or worms or any number of things so watch for symptoms on him you can relay to us.. And symptoms in your flock too.

 

[chicknmania]

Also start the flock on vitamins...just as a precaution. If your rooster dies you can have a necropsy done if it's done within 24 hours of death..and that can tell you a lot about what's going on.

 

[Peaky]

where does one have a necropsy done?

 

[chicknmania]

The quickest way is to ask your vet for a referral..it doesn't have to be a poultry vet. Or you can call your Stare department of agriculture.

 

[chicknmania]

* state I mean.

 

[orrpeople]

Also start the flock on vitamins...just as a precaution. If your rooster dies you can have a necropsy done if it's done within 24 hours of death..and that can tell you a lot about what's going on.

You can refrigerate the carcass for up to three days before sending it in. Our local vets, here in California, that perform avian necropsies are with UC Davis. I don't know what avian lab you might be closest to, but I would do a search, and then definitely send him in. (If he passes).
I recently sent a bird in for necropsy, so the process is fresh in my brain if you would like any further help.
I'm really sorry for your roo...those guys can really make you feel quite attached to them. It's no fun when something goes wrong.