Rooster Shaking Head

[BigBlueHen53]

I've only witnessed this with cockerels as they come into adulthood or soon after becoming adults, so assumed it was a 'testosterone overload' thing.

Thank you. Sometimes I sure wish I could just ask the chicken "what's up with that?"

 

[LaurasNew]

He might have had some problems adjusting his crop which can lead to the headshaking and snakelike movements of the neck and head.

Hi, I just got this rooster today. He's 12 months old and has been free ranging all his life. The previous owner said these movements were normal for him. Is he adjusting his crop? If so is there anything I can do/provide to help him? Thanks in advance

He might have had some problems adjusting his crop which can lead to the headshaking and snakelike movements of the neck and head.

 

[LaFleche]

Hi, I just got this rooster today. He's 12 months old and has been free ranging all his life. The previous owner said these movements were normal for him. Is he adjusting his crop? If so is there anything I can do/provide to help him? Thanks in advance

His movements don't have anything to do with crop adjustment.

In your short film he appears to be walking a bit unstable.

I would check him for lice or mites and inspect his ears for inflammation, crusts or maybe some dirt or grass seeds.
Also check the inside of his beak and down to his throat for anythink stuck, lesions or whitish/yellowish masses.

While he is in quarantine you can deworm him and also treat for external parasites.
Adding some poultry vitamin supplement to his drinking water would help him to adjust.

 

[LaurasNew]

His movements don't have anything to do with crop adjustment.

I would check him for lice or mites and inspect his ears for inflammation, crusts or maybe some dirt or grass seeds.
Also check the inside of his beak and down to his throat for anythink stuck, lesions or whitish/yellowish masses.

While he is in quarantine you can deworm him and also treat for external parasites.
Adding some poultry vitamin supplement to his drinking water would help him to adjust.

Ok thank you, they said he has always done this! I'm not too used to handling roosters but I will do my best to check these things first thing tomorrow

 

[LaFleche]

Ok thank you, they said he has always done this! I'm not too used to handling roosters but I will do my best to check these things first thing tomorrow

Health checks and treatments are best done at night as you can just grab the bird from the roost without having to chase it. Wearing a head lamp will make it easier leaving both hands free to hold the bird

 

[LaurasNew]

His movements don't have anything to do with crop adjustment.

In your short film he appears to be walking a bit unstable.

I would check him for lice or mites and inspect his ears for inflammation, crusts or maybe some dirt or grass seeds.
Also check the inside of his beak and down to his throat for anythink stuck, lesions or whitish/yellowish masses.

While he is in quarantine you can deworm him and also treat for external parasites.
Adding some poultry vitamin supplement to his drinking water would help him to adjust.

Update: I checked him for luce and mites, nothing, after a few videos O found hos ears and checked both, both were clear. I looked into his mouth and it was clear from what I could see. He was eating, drinking and pooping normally. I called my vet and also a breeder

Health checks and treatments are best done at night as you can just grab the bird from the roost without having to chase it. Wearing a head lamp will make it easier leaving both hands free to hold the bird

Update: I found how to check his ears by having a good look at my friendliest hen first and she was, as always, brilliant. His ears were both clear, no scabs, mites or lice anywhere. He was very healthy to hold, crop felt firm but not rock hard. I contacted a chicken breeder I know and the vet and sent the video. As this was going on since the owner could remember and with no other reason making sense, it seems either a birth defect or unseen head injury. The seller took him back. I would have liked to help him but I only have 5 hens who are complete pets and he was sadly beyond help

 

[LaurasNew]

Update: I checked him for luce and mites, nothing, after a few videos O found hos ears and checked both, both were clear. I looked into his mouth and it was clear from what I could see. He was eating, drinking and pooping normally. I called my vet and also a breeder

Update: I found how to check his ears by having a good look at my friendliest hen first and she was, as always, brilliant. His ears were both clear, no scabs, mites or lice anywhere. He was very healthy to hold, crop felt firm but not rock hard. I contacted a chicken breeder I know and the vet and sent the video. As this was going on since the owner could remember and with no other reason making sense, it seems either a birth defect or unseen head injury. The seller took him back. I would have liked to help him but I only have 5 hens who are complete pets and he was sadly beyond help

Apologies, was trying to send while cooking dinner for the kids! The second update is the right one, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it

 

[LaFleche]

I contacted a chicken breeder I know and the vet and sent the video. As this was going on since the owner could remember and with no other reason making sense, it seems either a birth defect or unseen head injury. The seller took him back

Good call.
The seller should not have sold him in the first place knowing about his long standing issue.

 

[LaurasNew]

Good call.
The seller should not have sold him in the first place knowing about his long standing issue.

Thanks for the advice all the same and I'm glad to now feel confident to check their ears, especially if I ever see head shaking in the future.

 

[Altairsky]

Hi, I just got this rooster today. He's 12 months old and has been free ranging all his life. The previous owner said these movements were normal for him. Is he adjusting his crop? If so is there anything I can do/provide to help him? Thanks in advance

My rooster shaked his head like in the video all the friggin time!
He was just hormonal and showing off his glorious wattles. After one year, he grew out of that stage, but he still does that funny wattle shaking from time to time.