Shipped Rooster not eating/drinking. Need helpful advice ASAP

[marie_martin]

He has been here about 5 days. The first couple of days he seemed reserved but was crowing in the box and once I got him settled into his temp. home he was still crowing. He was eating a little bit and drinking. Now he is not crowing, not eating or drinking. His crop is empty except for the little bit of yogurt I got into him today. I mixed a little water and some electrolytes/vitamins into it. Any suggestions? I tried putting one of my girls in with him today to see if maybe he is just lonely. I really cant put him into the big coop yet with the others due to my roo. I need to be able to be out there to help them settle once I combine them. He is not walking around much and I thought maybe he could not see well. His crest is huge and met with his beard. So I trimmed it pretty good to see if that helped. I put him on the ground and he still would not eat. Any suggestions would be great. Should I bring him into the house? It is not too cool out but could be part of the problem? I could remove my roo and put him in with the girls. He is not sick from what I can tell. Thanks for any advice.

Marie

 

[Campine Lover]

try watering him through a dropper and putting watery bread in his beak. good luck!

 

[NoseyChickens]

Maybe some watermelon or grapes?

 

[rancher hicks]

Is your female still with him? Is he within hearing distance of the other roo so he can hear his competition?

 

[marie_martin]

I tried the bread but he did not want it. But tomorrow I will try the grapes/watermelon. He was in a separate little coop with just the one girl but could still hear the other roo. I went out tonight and took the roo out and put him in the little coop and put this guy in with the others. Maybe he will settle easier if he is with the group. I will see how he is doing in the morning. Any other suggestions on how to get him to eat or how to force feed him something, keep it coming.

Marie

 

[rancher hicks]

It's not a good idea to do that, he may be sick and you don't want to spread it. One hen is risk enough and now you've risked all your birds for one roo. Very bad idea.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

Have you contacted the seller and asked if there are any treats he loves?

How about some frozen peas or corn - run them under hot water to thaw and give to him. Mealworms? Scrambled eggs?

Do you have any PolyViSol (without iron) vitamins? If so, I would go out tonight and dribble some along his beak so he swallows - three drops if you can.

 

[marie_martin]

He is not sick. No runny nose, etc. He is from a very reputable breeder. I don't think there is anything wrong with him other than just needing to adjust. I normally would not do that. But I fully trust the breeder. And he was fine when he got here. Crowing his butt off until I put him into that little coop. Still crowed for a couple of days, but not now. I have emailed the breeder but have not heard back yet. I have poly but I think it has iron. I will double check. I mixed electrolyte/vitamin powder into some yogurt with a little wate and dribbled it onto his beak. Got about 2cc into him.

Marie

 

[marie_martin]

Well, I tried everything I know how to do and it did not work. Yesterday he seemed better and was eating out of my hand some but he acted like he could not see. He did not walk around and when he did try to eat from my hand, he would miss and I would have to keep moving my hand under where he pecked. Maybe some kind of damage from the shipping? I don't know. Maybe just shock. She did a great job boxing him up and everything. So I know it had to be the shipping process. I don't know if I will ever do that again. I am just heartbroken! Thanks for the help.

Marie

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

I am sorry