Sad, Sad, Sad ... RIP Herman the House Rooster

[Shadrach]

Well, nothing obvious showed up in the clean-out, other than the usual springtime mite issues. It wasn't awful, just there. Back-tracking to about the time the first young roo died, the only change I can think of is a new bag of pine-bark mulch added to the run. I didn't see anything in the stuff we cleaned out, but I left it deep-piled in a shady, far corner of the garden so I could do a mold-check. We're due for a couple of days of really nice weather (60's ... finally ... hooray!) so we'll see what, if anything, develops.

The remaining two roosters from that run remain fat and sassy ... although they're definitely complaining about the confines of the front porch. I'll be happy when their run is fully dried out and finished. We're taking this opportunity to do some maintenance and maybe an upgrade. I'd really like to put in a proper dust-bath that won't get wet when it rains. The current plan is to get them back out there just as the Corid treatment ends for everybody.

There is one, tiny bright spot in losing Herman. The four older boys in my first bachelor run picked on him mercilessly, which is why we divided the run in the first place. Now that he's gone (Zheesh, I can't even type that line without my stomach knotting up,) maybe all six boys - and possibly one more, if I pull the younger roo in the main coop - can all live together in Frat House harmony ... fingers crossed ...

Coccidiosis has been fairly apparent in adults here, not so much the classic blood in poop, more their general demeanor. This place seems to have more than it's fair share and is a constant worry with chicks. I don't get a lot of warning with the chicks and this is despite feeding them medicated feed.
We should get major worm problems, the weather pattern should make for ideal conditions but for some unknown reason we don't. I don't routinely worm, but take random shit samples to the vet a few times a year.
The roosters that have died suddenly seem to have had heart attacks or years ago, from a calcium build up. The water here has a very high calcium content (2.3%). It's well water so low calcium feed is important.

Treacle sends stay well greetings to the rest of your boys.

 

[drumstick diva]

Treacle is magnificent !!

 

[MROO]

I don't routinely worm, but take random shit samples to the vet a few times a year.
(...)

Treacle sends stay well greetings to the rest of your boys.

That's my next step, I think - scooping a sample from each run & see if we're dealing with worms. Everyone left seems healthy, perky & shiny, so I don't think so, but it's best to be safe.

Everything seems to point towards Coccidiosis, now, despite no bloody stool. I've been dosing everyone (even non-symptomatic birds) just in case, and everyone seems perky. DD just told me, today (AFTER the fact! ARGGH!) that the evening before Herman and Sesame died, all three Nankin roos in that run were "a little bit droopy" and puffed up. She thought they were just bedding up for the cooler night, so she didn't say anything. She knows better, now!

So ... there have been no new surprises for two days, so we seem to have nipped whatever it was in the bud. The main coop and the primary Bachelor run remain blissfully clear and untouched by the drama. The two remaining Nankins from Herman's run are still in quarantine and on Corid, but you'd never know they'd been sick simply by looking at them. My little guy with sour crop went back out to his hen, today. Added to all that, we had an absolutely beautiful, 65 degree F day ... no rain, no clouds, nuthin' but sunshine & flowers. For as long as this little bit of peace lasts, I'll take it!

 

[featherhead007]

Very sorry for your loss. It's been two years since my roo "peeps" was killed, and I can still hear the echoes of his unique crow, ring in my head.

 

[b.hromada]

I'm very sorry for your loss. We do become so attached to them.