Sick Rooster

[wildwood glen]

I have a Rhode Island Red Rooster about 16 months old that in the last few weeks has started to appear sick, as you can see by the picture his comb has darkened, he is listless and has stoped crowing. He is in a pen with inside and outside areas with 7 hens and 11, 2 month old babies, the hens have started to pick on him at times. his droppings seem normal, his appetite has decreased and he stays by himself most of the time. Just a few weeks ago he was the king of the roost and now I am concerned, please help.

 

[nurse_turtle]

He may have worms. His comb is frostbitten. I would worm him and offer vitamin water to the whole flock.

 

[wildwood glen]

Thank you for your reply, do you have any sugesstions as to what I should use to worm him(them) and what type of vitamins. as for the frost bite, we live in the mountains east of San Diego and have hade some cold nights, we keep a heater in the pen that runs alnight, none of the other hens show any symptoms like the rooster.

 

[nurse_turtle]

Sometimes frostbite just happens. The comb will heal in time. Does he have any black spots on any other portion of comb or wattles? You can search this site regarding worming medicine as I've never used any. I do highly recommend vitamin water. The feed store or tractor supply store will have some products to add to the water for extra vitamins and electrolytes. He may also benefit from at least 1 high protein snack a day, like a scrambled or boiled egg, yogurt, chicken or tuna, etc. He may need to be separated from the flock for a bit. Do you have a garage or basement when he can be kept in a dog crate or other larger enclosure? Also, check him for mites/lice. You'll need to look mostly at the base of the feathers around his bum.

 

[wildwood glen]

There are no other black spots on his comb or wattles, I will check him for mites. I do have a space and pen I can seperate him from the flock I will check to see what the feed store reccomends for worming and vitamins, Thank you.