Rooster Losing Balance

[RoostersAreAwesome]

very well could be a genetics issue, if he's doing same thing

The only similarity is that he's having a hard time breathing (only sometimes, though). I thought it could be weak genes, but then again, both his parents were completely different breeds, so I would expect some hybrid vigor...

 

[slordaz]

The only similarity is that he's having a hard time breathing (only sometimes, though). I thought it could be weak genes, but then again, both his parents were completely different breeds, so I would expect some hybrid vigor...

sometimes the way the genes mesh when crossing is detrimental to them, it's always a gamble you have a 50/50 chance of a better bird or ones with issues. I forget is this one you hatched from your flock? if so I would not do that cross again.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

sometimes the way the genes mesh when crossing is detrimental to them, it's always a gamble you have a 50/50 chance of a better bird or ones with issues. I forget is this one you hatched from your flock? if so I would not do that cross again.

He's a rescue from craigslist. Serama x d'uccle. I wouldn't say there's a 50/50 chance of getting issues; with chickens, even sibling matings are often doable for a couple generations..

 

[slordaz]

yeah but seen some breeders that apparently just breed em and don't have good husbandry practices. at cal ranch the breeder they get their chicks has a husbandry issue but don't appear to care. and some don't even know what they have, they just slap a label on em .

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

yeah but seen some breeders that apparently just breed em and don't have good husbandry practices. at cal ranch the breeder they get their chicks has a husbandry issue but don't appear to care. and some don't even know what they have, they just slap a label on em .

Sounds like they breed from unhealthy stock. From what I've heard and experienced, mutts are usually a bit hardier than purebreds due to their mixed genetics. It doesn't seem to be the case for Cheeto, though.

 

[slordaz]

sorry they are having issues, I had to give some of my hens to the guy that took my extra roosters, which upset my flock for a bit, but told him the older hens,2.5 yrs one was a persistent broody for 4 months but would not accept chicks or other eggs either and the other hadn't laid much since her best friend was lost to a loose dog attack, think that was the best thing for them, the guy reports new situation in new home they are now laying like champs again. the funniest things about chickens can happen. Praying for Cheeto

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

The breathing may be the surprize of being pickt up. For the Ears, look into the Valley in the Roof of his Beak and push the ear feathers away. My Dorking had solid soft Pus or similar in her ears, which I removed.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

The breathing may be the surprize of being pickt up. For the Ears, look into the Valley in the Roof of his Beak and push the ear feathers away. My Dorking had solid soft Pus or similar in her ears, which I removed.

I doubt that. He gasps for breath and struggles like he's being attacked, both of which he never did before.
I just looked at his ears. They're clean.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

This thread (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drake-lost-his-sense-of-balance-and-voice.1321028/) has a duck that has the exact same symptoms as Cheeto... @Alexandra33 do you have any idea what was wrong with your duck?

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

I've observed that Cheeto won't really react when I put one hand under him and pick him up. However, if I put two hands on his sides/wings, he struggles and gasps.
Note: before this happened, I was able to pick Cheeto up with at most a few kicks of his legs. It was easy to approach him and catch him.