Rooster lethargic, crow changed

[olipti]

Type: Black Australorp rooster

Problem: A few months ago, I started seeing him hunch over and stop moving while out and about with the hens (all free-range). I'd walk over and he'd snap out of it. Recently, these incidents have been occurring much more frequently (several times a day vs once every other day). His crow has also deepened and become a bit broken. This past week, he has been having balance issues and the wind almost knocked him over. As I was closing the coop up tonight, I saw that he wasn't sitting on the roosting bar but just sitting in the corner on the pine shavings. Other than his behavior, there are no physical signs of illness (paleness, spots, watery eyes, strange poop, etc.). The hens aren't having any issues.


He is quite old (7 1/2), so it may just be due to age, but advice is appreciated nonetheless.

 

[Strawberry74]

Type: Black Australorp rooster

Problem: A few months ago, I started seeing him hunch over and stop moving while out and about with the hens (all free-range). I'd walk over and he'd snap out of it. Recently, these incidents have been occurring much more frequently (several times a day vs once every other day). His crow has also deepened and become a bit broken. This past week, he has been having balance issues and the wind almost knocked him over. As I was closing the coop up tonight, I saw that he wasn't sitting on the roosting bar but just sitting in the corner on the pine shavings. Other than his behavior, there are no physical signs of illness (paleness, spots, watery eyes, strange poop, etc.). The hens aren't having any issues.


He is quite old (7 1/2), so it may just be due to age, but advice is appreciated nonetheless.

Hi there. Sorry your boy is having trouble. I had a rooster about 6 months ago that had a change in behavior and was losing balance when he would bend over to peck at the ground and standing off from the others. It took me quite some time to figure it out because none of the others seemed to have any symptoms either. I finally figured out we had mites and he was infested. They all had some but they were making him anemic which caused the lethargy and unbalance. I recommend going out to the roost this evening and shining a bright flashlight around his vent area and see if you see any Creepy Crawlers. If you don't see any at least you've ruled it out.

 

[olipti]

Hi there. Sorry your boy is having trouble. I had a rooster about 6 months ago that had a change in behavior and was losing balance when he would bend over to peck at the ground and standing off from the others. It took me quite some time to figure it out because none of the others seemed to have any symptoms either. I finally figured out we had mites and he was infested. They all had some but they were making him anemic which caused the lethargy and unbalance. I recommend going out to the roost this evening and shining a bright flashlight around his vent area and see if you see any Creepy Crawlers. If you don't see any at least you've ruled it out.

The chickens had lice for the first time this year and I treated them in early June. He was definitely hit the hardest then, but I've been checking them more regularly since then and haven't seen anything recently. I've mostly been checking under his wings, though, as that was where the lice were concentrated. I'll check the vent area, too. Thank you!

 

[Strawberry74]

The chickens had lice for the first time this year and I treated them in early June. He was definitely hit the hardest then, but I've been checking them more regularly since then and haven't seen anything recently. I've mostly been checking under his wings, though, as that was where the lice were concentrated. I'll check the vent area, too. Thank you!

Keep us posted. What did you treat the lice with? Did you happen to add any poultry vitamins to help him regain his health? Rooster Booster makes some feed additives or water additives that can restore imbalance.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

A few months ago

A few months ago, I started seeing him hunch over and stop moving while out and about with the hens

His crow has also deepened and become a bit broken. This past week, he has been having balance issues and the wind almost knocked him over. As I was closing the coop up tonight, I saw that he wasn't sitting on the roosting bar but just sitting in the corner on the pine shavings. Other than his behavior, there are no physical signs of illness (paleness, spots, watery eyes, strange poop, etc.).

He is quite old (7 1/2), so it may just be due to age, but advice is appreciated nonetheless.

I agree, I'd give him a good going over to check for lice and mites.

Photos of him and his poop?
Has he been dewormed?

Do you see him eating at all? Is he going to bed/roost with his crop full and it's emptying overnight and flat by morning?

Any lesions or canker inside of the beak?

Any signs of bumblefoot, broken nails, scaly leg mites, or anything else going on with his legs/feet?

I'd work on getting him hydrated, then see if he will eat something for you. Bits of egg are often interesting, he will probably call his hens (even if he's not well), so you may need to take him aside to get him to eat any "goodies".

At 7 1/2, it's possible his age is taking its tole on him too, but it would be good to rule out some other things.

 

[olipti]

Keep us posted. What did you treat the lice with? Did you happen to add any poultry vitamins to help him regain his health? Rooster Booster makes some feed additives or water additives that can restore imbalance.

I treated the lice with Elector PSP - I got the small bottle from the Chicken Chick. I didn't see any mites on him, the hens, or in the coop. I'll see if I can find some vitamins for him today.

 

[olipti]

I agree, I'd give him a good going over to check for lice and mites.

Photos of him and his poop?
Has he been dewormed?

Do you see him eating at all? Is he going to bed/roost with his crop full and it's emptying overnight and flat by morning?

Any lesions or canker inside of the beak?

Any signs of bumblefoot, broken nails, scaly leg mites, or anything else going on with his legs/feet?

I'd work on getting him hydrated, then see if he will eat something for you. Bits of egg are often interesting, he will probably call his hens (even if he's not well), so you may need to take him aside to get him to eat any "goodies".

At 7 1/2, it's possible his age is taking its tole on him too, but it would be good to rule out some other things.

I'll try to get photos/video today. I checked his feet/legs and they look normal. He has a pretty crooked toe so he limps around but that's been going on for a long time. I'll do my best to keep him hydrated and eating.

 

[olipti]

 

[MysteryChicken]

Looks like he's got some gout in both feet.

 

[olipti]