Rooster sick??

[gladimsaved]

We have 2 roosters and 3 chickens and 1 duck. They always stay together as they free range, but yesterday (it was freezing!), I noticed that everyone was out in front of our house, using it as a wind blocker, except for our main rooster. He stayed by the run, and even when the other rooster was calling him, he'd answer, but didn't go out front. Then I just didn't see him for awhile.

When my husband put our duck up into the coop with the chickies, he said the roosters were both there. SUPER!!!

This morning the rooster was the last one down (usually is first one out). He looks ok from what I could tell, but his head is moving kind of like when people say 'oh no you didnt' and move their heads.

This is my first winter with chicks, and if this sounds like something to be concerned about (I AM!), please would you let me know!!!!! THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Where are you located? I see that movement when they get frostbitten combs and wattles. My guess is that's what has happened. It will heal up with time. It may or may not swell, and he may lose some tissue. Most of my large roosters have lost their points off the combs. I recommend leaving them alone as messing with damaged tissue isn't a good idea.

 

[gladimsaved]

Thank you so much, oldhenlikesdogs, for being the only one to help me!!! That really made me sad/upset that it took so long for anyone to answer, but thank you for being so kind!!!!

I noticed his wattles (I'm a new chickie owner..I thought they were waddles!!), were all swollen, and I realized that must be why his head was moving like that. My daughter said it may be frostbite, and I did some reading...and that is it.

I feel horrible , although it doesn't seem to be a 'big' issue to people? Is this true?? So should I just leave it alone then?? What are your thoughts?? I feel so sad for him, and although the weather is supposed to be 17 tomorrow, I will need to make sure I see him eating and drinking when I let them out in the morning. After that, we're talking of -17!!! I'm so scared and worried for them!!!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many people on this site haven't dealt with frostbite, so many may not have recognized the symptoms.

Unfortunately frostbite is common in temperatures below zero for roosters with large combs and wattles. My big boys are all showing some damage after this current temperature drop.

It is a big deal, but it generally isn't life threatening nor does it require treatment. Some say stuff like Vaseline will prevent it but I personally can't apply stuff all winter on multiple roosters. My older boys have lost their comb points and wattle tissue. It takes a few weeks for them to start feeling better after the damage is done. It can happen multiple times during the winter unfortunately.

I leave mine be. They can look miserable for a while. All heal up fine.

My future plans are to keep smaller combed roosters, but I do like my Orpingtons.

 

[gladimsaved]

My Rhode Island Red Rooster has frostbitten wattles that are so painful! They were first all swollen up, the next day the swelling was gone, but you could actually see THICK ice on his wattle bottoms. I took him in the house and he sat on my lap for about an hour until the ice was gone, put some triple antibiotic on him, then Vaseline on top of that, then took him back out. I did that for 2 days, but I didn't get to see him today up close, as they all stayed in the coop (-40 with windchill) while I did my chores. I'll check after bit.

Someone said it's bad to take them in and out like that. This is my first winter with chickens, roosters, and a duck. I got them in March of this past year and I love them all so much!!! We have our run all covered. They have their food and water down there. They have the option of getting into their coop again (except the duck, cause I have to physically put him up there, as she sleeps with the chickies). Right now I have a heat lamp in their run, but I don't feel that it's really doing anything when it's so horribly cold!
If you have anymore thoughts about Copper (frostbitten boy), I'd be very appreciative!

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Many people on this site haven't dealt with frostbite, so many may not have recognized the symptoms.

Unfortunately frostbite is common in temperatures below zero for roosters with large combs and wattles. My big boys are all showing some damage after this current temperature drop.

It is a big deal, but it generally isn't life threatening nor does it require treatment. Some say stuff like Vaseline will prevent it but I personally can't apply stuff all winter on multiple roosters. My older boys have lost their comb points and wattle tissue. It takes a few weeks for them to start feeling better after the damage is done. It can happen multiple times during the winter unfortunately.

I leave mine be. They can look miserable for a while. All heal up fine.

My future plans are to keep smaller combed roosters, but I do like my Orpingtons.

Orpingtons worlds greatest rooster.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My Rhode Island Red Rooster has frostbitten wattles that are so painful! They were first all swollen up, the next day the swelling was gone, but you could actually see THICK ice on his wattle bottoms. I took him in the house and he sat on my lap for about an hour until the ice was gone, put some triple antibiotic on him, then Vaseline on top of that, then took him back out. I did that for 2 days, but I didn't get to see him today up close, as they all stayed in the coop (-40 with windchill) while I did my chores. I'll check after bit.

Someone said it's bad to take them in and out like that. This is my first winter with chickens, roosters, and a duck. I got them in March of this past year and I love them all so much!!! We have our run all covered. They have their food and water down there. They have the option of getting into their coop again (except the duck, cause I have to physically put him up there, as she sleeps with the chickies). Right now I have a heat lamp in their run, but I don't feel that it's really doing anything when it's so horribly cold!
If you have anymore thoughts about Copper (frostbitten boy), I'd be very appreciative!

Seeing them with frostbite can be a bit disturbing. It is painful for them, but they all eventually heal up. I prefer to let nature do what it's going to as we have brutal winters every winter.

My roosters lose tissue, and the next year there is less tissue to get frostbite on. I don't know how to prevent frostbite except to provide heat all winter which isn't practical for us.