Sick Rooster.. HELP

[dcaple001]

So..... nothing in the crop. He is super thin once we got a hold of him and was filling around. I noted some black spots on his comb (picture for reference) so I thought it might be mites.... got some DE and put it on him and all around bathing areas and coop. Worker at Tractor Supply suggested Vitamin B12 for an energy boost, gave that! We will see in the morning.....

Thanks for everyone’s input

 

[GermanKennhuhn]

I don't think that's mites. If he's thin, high protein feed might help. Grower feed works well, or scrambled eggs. I hear worms can cause them to be thin, but I haven't dealt with worms in my flock. Check around his vent and under his wings for parasites. I don't recommend DE, but if you're going to use it, be careful not to get it near his head, and don't breath it in yourself. The cough I got wasn't fun.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

last question — do rooster molt?

Roosters totally do molt.. and it could impact in exactly the way you are describing.. Molt is one of my top suspects since you say he IS eating AND drinking. You don't describe him as lethargic but more just quite and bit off compared to normal.. Overall it can be a challenging time for them. To give a real boost to the immune system Rooster Booster (brand) Poultry Cell (product) is superior to many others. I like to offer it on occasion. Mixed in a small snack is preferred over added to water as it doesn't mix well.

B complex would be (so much) better than B12, if possible.. thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, biotin, etc.. so many KEY B's that effect all kinds of functions in our bodies.. it's a good go to that does help boost the immune system!

Poultry Nutri drench is also a good supplement which includes amino acids that many vitamin supplements may not.

What are you feeding him on a REGULAR basis? My first birds molt when I fed "layer" feed saw many face this decrease in personality. Since switching to flock raiser (Purina).. the birds seem remain themselves more so, now going through less harsh molts and not withdrawing as in years past... Also calcium in "layer" is excess for birds not in lay and if fed long term *could* (doesn't mean will) lead to gout or even kidney failure and sudden death.

Your lady in pics 1 & 2 post 5.. appears to need a saddle or a break from his fat butt. (said with loving fun pokes at your boy) Her angry red skin is likely from him mounting to much BUT check after dark using a flashlight, part the feathers on the abdomen and below the vent and look for crawlie things running away. This is the easiest time to see them if they are present. Adding DE a drying agent is doing her already irritated skin a disservice. If you worry about mites or the like consider using something proven effective like a permethrin based product that requires NO egg withdrawal and is safe even for use on chicks and broody's while still being very affordable and easy to apply.

do you how much does a fecal test cost at a vet?

My vet is the highest price one in my desolate region and it runs me $26. Mail in ones are cheaper and some folks on here have used them. It can be done by any vet as the test is the same for cats and dogs.

Even if I say this or that might be better or what have you.. I'm glad that you're paying attention to your flock and know them well enough to notice something is off, you are looking for solutions and trying SOMETHING now, and doing your best instead of waiting until it's too late.

All birds loose weight during molt. Get a weight on him, figure out what his natural build is. He may be spending to much time watching the sky or mating as he is still kinda young.

Also, see pin feathers coming in or an explosion of them anywhere?

 

[dcaple001]

1. You don't describe him as lethargic but more just quite and bit off compared to normal.. .

2. What are you feeding him on a REGULAR basis?

3. Also, see pin feathers coming in or an explosion of them anywhere?

1. He does seem lethargic. He usually is all over the yard, but he just kinda stays around the coop now. He is eating and drinking fine. But today when I went to shut the coop he was just in the corner with his head in the corner laying on the ground.

2. (attached picture) I have been feeding my flock this for atleast a few months now, no big change besides I went from crumbles to pellets. I did buy this Strike III which has extra protein to hopefully help boost him if that is what he needs

3. Today when we were looking for mites on him, I noticed a few pin feathers but nothing Drastic. If you look at the “old” picture of him and a the new pictures of him (attached picture comparing)—his chest feather are much more white , which makes me think he is losing his feathers... Also look at his leg feathers, he looks like he has lost those too. I have been looking back at pictures and his chest is much lighter than it was even a month ago.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have been feeding my flock this for atleast a few months now, no big change besides I went from crumbles to pellets. I did buy this Strike III which has extra protein to hopefully help boost him if that is what he needs

That is "layer" feed.. it has excess calcium for any bird not laying like him.

That strike product actually has reduced protein at only 14% compared to the layer feed at 16%. It isn't ALL about the protein.. what matters is the amino acids in the protein and not all are created equal! Looks like it may be trying to help worm the chickens.. says it supports digestive health and contains wormwood.. I see no claim if "extra protein" on the package. Plus the pumpkin seed, another *claimed* worming agent said to make the intestines uncomfortable to encourage parasitic exodus.

Yes, I see the difference in your boy! I would start by switching feeds.. on your next bag or ASAP and mixing them together. Nutritional things take a while before rearing their ugly head. I see you are shopping TSC, which I do also and will tell you which products I would choose instead of your current product, that will benefit your entire flock and even add more nutrients into the eggs your family is eating. Keep in mind yours is a 40# bag and sometimes you actually DO get what you pay for so if the cost is increased slightly (and it is) rest assured the overall flock health and ability to fight things off better will give greater peace of mind and over all enjoyment of your flock in addition to the added nutrient benefits for your family receives.. Sorry, this is one of my passion areas.. avian nutrition.. Anyways... Any of these with oyster shell free choice on the side for active layers.. (oyster shell is cheaper than protein, part of the reason higher protein feeds cost more)

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor--chick-starter-grower-20-feed-50-lb

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/dumor-poultry-grower-finisher-15-feed-50-lb

My personal top choice..
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/purina-flock-raiser-crumbles-premium-poultry-feed-50-lb

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/nutrena-naturewise-all-flock-pellet-40-lb-bag

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/naturewise-meatbird

1. He does seem lethargic. He usually is all over the yard, but he just kinda stays around the coop now. He is eating and drinking fine. But today when I went to shut the coop he was just in the corner with his head in the corner laying on the ground.

Eating and drinking fine would NOT be indicative of crop dysfunction.. otherwise that would be one of the first things to monitor.

On the ground.. in the corner.. that's not normal at ALL. If he's bad enough to not roost.. he likely needs to be brought in for monitoring.

What you described previously didn't sound like diarrhea and you said he was actively eating and drinking .. make sure you aren't providing electrolytes.. some things included like potassium can be overdosed. So switch to fresh water right away.. and is his vent clear and what do current dropping look like.. Sounds like he's gone downhill more since yesterday?? So sorry, how is he now?

 

[dcaple001]

On the ground.. in the corner.. that's not normal at ALL. If he's bad enough to not roost.. he likely needs to be brought in for monitoring.

Is his vent clear and what do current dropping look like.. Sounds like he's gone downhill more since yesterday??

Thanks for your food recommendations -- I am actually going to buy some today because I am out of what I currently have.

Vent is clear. Yesterday his droppings were more solid than before, but a little bit darker than normal -- closer to a dark, dark brown / black -- which I know could mean internal bleeding.... . I am going to check again later, right now we are having a down pour here in KY.

He is still eating and drinking fine (as of last night). Today I can see he is walking around the yard but, his tail is down though.

He did finally roost last night once I went to close the coop up for the night. But an hour or two before he was just sitting on the ground, with his head in the corner of the coop.

The more I look at this comparison pictures, he looks like he is loosing his feathers -- so he could be molting and just very puny. He is 18 months old so this is his first and could be more harsh (from what I have read on multiple forums). Between the feathers, pale comb, puny and not mating all push me to believe it is molting.. or I am praying that is all it is....

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I have been feeding my flock this for atleast a few months now,

You know I was thinking about this AND researching it.. because I realize that feather and skin color are effected by nutrients heavily and that is true EVEN when it isn't caused by a deficit...

Feeding a wheat based ration verses a corn based ration would likely result in less yellow pigment across the board.. skin, feathers, and egg yolks. Some feed contain marigold.

https://petcentral.chewy.com/bird-health-and-feather-color-changes/

Also.. feathers do start looking quite worn as they get closer to needing to molt.. just for general information. I'm sure your fella does need extra help right now, despite not having narrowed down an exact cause for his condition.. could be a slow drawn out hard molt.. all are individuals and so many conditions throw similar symptoms we just go by process of elimination... other than the head down, all signs do point to molt.. best I can tell. Prayed with ya for quick recovery!

If you are able to add Poultry Cell to your emergency kit, I love to use it anytime there has been stress like a predator attack, molting, or a couple weeks before collecting hatching eggs..
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...ell-16-oz?solr=1&cm_vc=-10005&st=poultry cell

 

[dcaple001]

If you are able to add Poultry Cell to your emergency kit, I love to use it anytime there has been stress like a predator attack, molting, or a couple weeks before collecting hatching eggs..

I’ll add this to my Emergency kit! I just went out there and snap a few pictures of him today. I forgot I sent the one from the coop this morning while he was still roosting to my husband today... look at his back he looks like he’s loosing feathers — I think and hope it’s just molting

 

[Jt and Chicks]

Poor guy I hope its just molding. What breed is he?

 

[LaFleche]

...Vent is clear. Yesterday his droppings were more solid than before, but a little bit darker than normal -- closer to a dark, dark brown / black -- which I know could mean internal bleeding.... . I am going to check again later, right now we are having a down pour here in KY.

Did you or any of your neighbours recently use rat poison?