Sick Rooster

[Matzwd]

How old is he? It is hard to know what is wrong with him exactly. You have a few different breeds from different people don’t you? It could be something like Mareks, coccidiosis, hard to know. Tube feeding is safer than dropper or syringe feeding, so you may want to read up on that. Is his crop empty?

He is two years old. Yes, I have gotten chicks from the feed store (Hoover), from Cackle, and from a local breeder. I have had hens in my flock from that breeder for two years, a couple of chicks from there this spring. No other chickens have any symptoms. There are no respiratory symptoms, including in the sick rooster. He has simply stopped eating and is growing weak. No external parasites. Eyes, ears, vent, feet are clear. There are no visible injuries. I just have no idea what could be wrong. Yes, his crop is completely empty. I did go ahead and give him Safeguard this evening as I have no other ideas what to try, especially since he's a rooster and can't be egg bound or anything like that.

Can adult chickens get coccidiosis? There is no blood in the stool.

When my first batch of pullets were about nine months old, I had a girl suddenly have a purple comb and become very lethargic. Took her to the vet. They sent us home with tube feeding supplies after a demonstration. Immediately after our first feeding at home, she had a seizure and died. It was so traumatic. The vet thinks that she as just too weak and that she probably had a heart attack, but I am terrified to try it again.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When you can, get some photos of all of him along with his poop. I know you are limited on time.

If he's really lethargic, then he may benefit from you bringing him in and providing him with his own food/water.

 

[Matzwd]

I did bring him in yesterday afternoon again. I was dropping him water every hour or so. He seized and died early this morning. Thank you all for your input.

 

[LaFleche]

I am sorry he did not make it despite your efforts. Sometimes there is just nothing one can do to safe them.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss. If you have his body, you could keep it cold, not frozen, and take it to the state poultry vet for a necropsy and testing to find out what was wrong. Here is a list of state vets to contact:
https://www.metzerfarms.com/PoultryLabs.cfm

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did bring him in yesterday afternoon again. I was dropping him water every hour or so. He seized and died early this morning. Thank you all for your input.

I'm sorry about your rooster