Sick Rooster

[river chicks]

Hi everyone. I have a 6 month old rooster (buff orpington) who, all of sudden, has become listless and weak. His appetite is poor and seems to be loosing weight rapidly. His comb looks wilted and dried out. I am new at this and have no idea what it could be. It seems these symptoms appear with so many ailments.... Any ideas????? I have 10 hens who all seem healthy and lively. Not sure what I should do!!!! HELP!!!!

 

[robin416]

Start by giving a ton more info about him and his feed, his housing, his outside surroundings. As you mentioned it could be so many things and with the little you've told so far there is no way to answer your questions.

 

[river chicks]

Well, We have a large coup, new construction - gets locked in dusk till 8:00 AM. At this point he goes in a rather large fenced run till 1ish, Then free range till he is ready to go in with the hens. He is on organic layer pellets, get a little organic scratch 2X day. We occasionally give him some greens from the garden or berries. We've been doing this since he was very young with no problem. There is a waterer inside and out and he has 24/7 access. He free ranges in the yard (9 acres - organic), so I really don't know what he gets into. The hens do exactly the same ritual and all seem fine at this point. Today, I did get him to drink water with a little apple cider vinegar in it, but he will not eat. I felt his chest and there is no lump. Anything else??

 

[kathyinmo]

Have your birds been wormed? Have you checked him over for lice or mites? These things can take a bird down, and kill them. On the free ranging ... what has your weather been like? Is it possible he has gotten into rotting vegetation, fungus, mushrooms, mold, etc?

 

[robin416]

You also need to coax him to eat. Make up some cooked oatmeal. Offer him some, if he refuses show one of the girls. If she eats it it might get him more interested.

He really should not be on layer pellets. I have my flocks on flock raisers and have calcium in side feeders for the girls.

Something I learned from a vet last week that giving him B12 will boost his appetite and give him some extra energy. She preferred the injectable since she knew the dose was delivered. Locally I found injectable B complex which contains B12.

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Wilted comb? Sounds like he is dehydrating. All ideas so far sound good to try.

 

[PandoraTaylor]

Put some powdered Electrolytes in his water.
Try boiled eggs, oatmeal, warm pellets (mash), and some Probiotics?

 

[river chicks]

Just gave Updike some electrolytes and an antibiotic. The gal at the farm store felt is was a respiratory problem: breathing through mouth, no blood in poop. I am giving it to the girls too just in case. This afternoon, I hope to get some food in him. Keep your fingers crossed for him - he is such a sweetie - and a great hubby to them all!

 

[river chicks]

Not looking good. He's still holding on, but I feel I am just prolonging his agony. Having trouble breathing and have to squirt the fluid into his mouth with a syringe. I do this every 2-3 hours from 8 till 6. Forget about food. He still stands, but is wobbly. I was hoping to see an improvement today after 24 hours of antibiotics....
Looking at pics of poo, it sure looks like respiratory issues.