Rooster Lethargic with Watery Poop and Dark Comb

[black_fleet]

He still seems lethargic, but he regularly crows to the fleet. He pooped again and there was a small drop of brown but otherwise the same.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Thank you for the advice. Do you think that a teaspoon per gallon would be problematic to their health? I agree that acidic water would not be great to drink, though from what I found while researching it, a teaspoon per gallon seemed to be considered okay and beneficial, so I didn't really think too hard on it. Trying it and smelling it, I don't notice much of a difference, but chemically of course I can not detect, and nor can I assume to know how strong the senses of a chicken are.

I would still remove the ACV. One way to think of it too is...what happens when you actually need a more acidic water (medical issues) and your chickens have such a tolerance that it would not be affective.

 

[black_fleet]

I would still remove the ACV. One way to think of it too is...what happens when you actually need a more acidic water (medical issues) and your chickens have such a tolerance that it would not be affective.

Yes, you make a great point. I will leave it out of their water from now on.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This morning, when the birds were loosed from their house, he emerged last and very lazily for this guy.

The Governor however never left the outer enclosure of the coop. A bit later, we noticed that he gave a small amount of poop, looking green like mint-chocolate iced cream, and maybe slightly foamy, but not even as big as a penny in size. While we watched him, he drank a lot of water, but never approached the feed once.

The crop isn't hard or impacted, but it does feel like there is at least something in it. He likely ate normal yesterday though.

He still seems lethargic

The poop is not normal.

You watched him drink a lot of water today, but he has not eaten today, but his crop feels like it has food in it though correct? Even if he ate yesterday, the crop should have emptied overnight.

I would definitely re-check that crop first thing in the morning before he eats/drinks.

I do think his crop is slow, impacted or not functioning like it should, but often times this is just a symptom of an underlying condition.
I would go ahead and start a bit of a crop treatment now. Even though I think something else may be going on. If he were mine, I would give him 1 teaspoon coconut oil, then massage the crop very well. (I freeze the oil, then break into chunks they will eat by themselves). Massage the crop several times today. He can have water, some wet feed and a little bit of scrambled egg for a treat.
See what the crop feels like tomorrow morning.

The poop is quite yellow, could be a lot of things. A fecal float is always a good idea, but sometimes that's not possible. Which direction to go...that's hard to know. Yellow can be poor liver function, worms, infection or Coccidiosis. (I'm sure many other things, but those 4 seem to be more common). You can try worming, that's the first route I would take since you are in FL a lot of people do have problems with worms. Valbazen or Fenbendazole (Safeguard) would be the 2 I would recommend. You can find Safeguard at TSC, Valbazen you will likely need to order.

Dosage for Safeguard if .23ml per pound of weight given orally for 5 days.
Dosage for Valbazen is 0.08ml per pound of weight given once, then repeat in 10 days.
Either one will take care of most worms that chickens have.

Here's a good article to get you started on crop treatments. I use the oil first, then go from there. A crop issue can take days to weeks to resolve depending on the cause.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Keep us posted.

 

[black_fleet]

The poop is not normal.

You watched him drink a lot of water today, but he has not eaten today, but his crop feels like it has food in it though correct? Even if he ate yesterday, the crop should have emptied overnight.

I would definitely re-check that crop first thing in the morning before he eats/drinks.

I do think his crop is slow, impacted or not functioning like it should, but often times this is just a symptom of an underlying condition.
I would go ahead and start a bit of a crop treatment now. Even though I think something else may be going on. If he were mine, I would give him 1 teaspoon coconut oil, then massage the crop very well. (I freeze the oil, then break into chunks they will eat by themselves). Massage the crop several times today. He can have water, some wet feed and a little bit of scrambled egg for a treat.
See what the crop feels like tomorrow morning.

The poop is quite yellow, could be a lot of things. A fecal float is always a good idea, but sometimes that's not possible. Which direction to go...that's hard to know. Yellow can be poor liver function, worms, infection or Coccidiosis. (I'm sure many other things, but those 4 seem to be more common). You can try worming, that's the first route I would take since you are in FL a lot of people do have problems with worms. Valbazen or Fenbendazole (Safeguard) would be the 2 I would recommend. You can find Safeguard at TSC, Valbazen you will likely need to order.

Dosage for Safeguard if .23ml per pound of weight given orally for 5 days.
Dosage for Valbazen is 0.08ml per pound of weight given once, then repeat in 10 days.
Either one will take care of most worms that chickens have.

Here's a good article to get you started on crop treatments. I use the oil first, then go from there. A crop issue can take days to weeks to resolve depending on the cause.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

Keep us posted.

Thank you kindly for all of the advice.

I will get some coconut oil in the freezer asap and get on the crop treatment.

As far as wet food goes, are you referring to making a slurry of water and crumble?

I have safeguard on hand, but called around earlier and was offered Wazine from a local supply store. They said that it isn't in production anymore, but is effective on chickens. Since you didn't mention wazine, should I stick to the safeguard?

 

[MissChick@dee]

Wazine kills round worms only. Which is the
Most common worm in chickens. I use Wazine (first treatment) then for the second treatment I followed up with a broad spectrum wormer (follow up treatment). I’m limited because of where I live. The key is to be sure a give the second treatment to be sure to get rid of any eggs the parasites have laid or else the life cycle will continue.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you kindly for all of the advice.

I will get some coconut oil in the freezer asap and get on the crop treatment.

As far as wet food goes, are you referring to making a slurry of water and crumble?

I have safeguard on hand, but called around earlier and was offered Wazine from a local supply store. They said that it isn't in production anymore, but is effective on chickens. Since you didn't mention wazine, should I stick to the safeguard?

You have Safeguard on hand, you are good to go. Dosage is .23ml per pound of weight given for 5 days in a row.

I would not use Wazine since it's limited to roundworms only, you want a broad spectrum dewormer since you don't know what you are dealing with.

 

[black_fleet]

You have Safeguard on hand, you are good to go. Dosage is .23ml per pound of weight given for 5 days in a row.

I would not use Wazine since it's limited to roundworms only, you want a broad spectrum dewormer since you don't know what you are dealing with.

Yes, I realize I was underinformed on the different types of wormers. Thank you. I haven't had many problems with any of the animals I keep until this last year.

 

[black_fleet]

Gave him the first round of coconut oil and a gentle crop massage as suggested, will continue to monitor and massage throughout the day. He's pecked at the slurry I made for him a bit too, so he doesn't seem to be completely avoiding food.

 

[black_fleet]

Alright, I've given him two rounds of coconut oil, maybe 1/2-3/4 of a teaspoon each time (he was a bit fussy, esp during the second feeding). After each dose I gave him a light massage as indicated in the link above for around 5-10 minutes. Whatever I felt earlier when I was checking his crop, I cannot find now. Additionally, he has pooped five more times since this morning, the first few still pretty watery, but the last few each have more and more solid matter in them. Color wise, they look much the same, greenish yellow solid matter and then the water, but maybe a bit more white in them now. I can provide pictures if it would be helpful.

He hasn't eaten much of the crumble, but is now up in his cage and seemingly much more alert. This could just be the time of day though as he knows usually he would begin heading to the roost relatively soon. I haven't administered the first round of wormer, but will be doing so shortly. Thank you guys for all the help so far.