Rooster would rather starve than eat chicken food.

[RandyTheRooster]

So I have have a rooster who refuses to eat chicken feed, although he will eat table scraps. I keep a bowl of feed (changed every other day) in his coop, and feed him a treat (usually leftovers) once a day. I only feed him a small handful of treats estimated at 50-125 calories a day. In the last 2 months he has barely been touching his chicken feed, although he will beg for treats. I have noticed significant weight loss, a drooping comb, lethargy, and in the last few days, balance issues. Those are signs of malnutrition, which makes it seem like the rooster would rather starve than eat chicken feed.

I am very concerned for my roo's well being and want to know what I can do to help him.

 

[Dona Worry]

Are your other chickens eating the food, no problem? Why is the rooster by himself? What feed is it? Can you look and see when it was made? What does it smell like?

 

[TwistedSteel]

Quit giving him treats and he will eat the chicken feed, I can just about guaranty it.

 

[RandyTheRooster]

The rooster is pet I got from my grandmother several years ago. He has lived alone for the better part of his life. It smells earthy and I don't see any signs of mold. The 5 pound bag of Purina Flock Raiser that I bought a month ago has 8MAY15RPWA stamped on it?!!! Did the feed store sell me an expired bag?

 

[TwistedSteel]

I`d get him some fresh feed

 

[Chickassan]

Feed is very old, 2015 old. Get new feed. Cook him some rice or something in the meantime.

The rooster is pet I got from my grandmother several years ago. He has lived alone for the better part of his life. It smells earthy and I don't see any signs of mold. The 5 pound bag of Purina Flock Raiser that I bought a month ago has 8MAY15RPWA stamped on it?!!! Did the feed store sell me an expired bag?

 

[Folly's place]

Actually I think it's May15, 2018. Either way, it's too old to feed anyone!
Fresh Flock Raiser (within six weeks of mill date!) and no treats, and he'll come around, poor guy.
Mary

 

[Chickassan]

I read it as May 8th 2015. Would not surprise me! I just bought a year old bag of calf manna.

Actually I think it's May15, 2018. Either way, it's too old to feed anyone!
Fresh Flock Raiser (within six weeks of mill date!) and no treats, and he'll come around, poor guy.
Mary

 

[Fishkeeper]

Even if he's lived alone, he should be given company. Chickens are social, they do best in flocks.

 

[RandyTheRooster]

Thank you so much! He will get extra big servings of leftovers (rice, beans, and pork) until I get him fresh feed later today.