Rooster opening and closing his mouth, losing his appetite

[mashwoman]

Hello, my silkie Rooster, almost 3 years old, started acting weak on Saturday. He is opening and closing his mouth, and as of yesterday afternoon started to lose his appetite. We checked in his throat, and did not see gapeworms, his throat looked just fine. We used a syringe this morning and gave him a little bit of yogurt. Does anyone have any ideas what could be wrong? There is no vet in my area that sees chickens.

Thanks!

Becky

 

[seminolewind]

I don't know. You could try Baytril or Tylan antibiotics.

 

[dawg53]

You wont see gapeworm by looking down his throat. It sounds like he might have impacted crop, probably impacted gizzard.

 

[mashwoman]

He seems more alert today. I added chicken vitamins to yogurt and lightly cooked egg, put it in the food processor then used a syringe to get it in his mouth. He wasn't opening and closing his mouth today, although he shakes his head now and again. Still weak, and not eating on his own though. His crop was big on Sunday morning after he ate, but I can't feel it now. How can I tell if his crop or gizzard is impacted? thank you!