Sick Silkie Rooster

Hidden976

Hatching
Feb 27, 2025
7
2
4
I have 9 silkie chickens in New York state. One of my roosters, who is about 5 years old, has been acting off for the last few days. I have been monitoring him but he has been eating, drinking, and getting along with the others. He has been walking slower and hasn't been crowing. I have just confirmed they were not vaccinated (Tractor Supply) but regularly get vitamins and VetRx poultry aid, as well as fresh fruit/vegetables and time outside (they live in my garage). Today he is lying in the corner with his face down and only picked up for a second when I touched him but never stood up. I do have one other rooster but I have been unable to identify any injuries on either of them. Everyone else in the flock is acting normal, except one that has had an on/off eye infection for 2 years that is regularly treated that has never spread. Any help at all would be appreciated as I don't know how to help him and I'm quite distraught.
 
is he hunched up? do you have pictures?
He is practically curled up and has his face/comb directly on the ground. When he lifted his head up, it was only for a moment, and I'm unsure if he even had his eyes open. He was fine yesterday at least until 5pm but I just got home from work so I have no idea how long he has been lying there today.
 
it seems like he is lethargic. is he eating and drinking normally? or does he not want to eat
 
it seems like he is lethargic. is he eating and drinking normally? or does he not want to eat
I have seen him eating and drinking the last few days, including yesterday. He was enthusiastic about getting treats, which I made sure he was getting extra of. I do not know if he has eaten or drank anything today. They have access to food and water 24/7, as well as grit (with probiotics) and oyster shells.
 
What is his normal diet?
They are free fed Dumor 16% layer crumbles. I feed a variety of treats in moderation including scratch corn, dried meal worms/beetles/crickets or other varied bugs, leftover vegetables/fruits that are still safe for consumption, and occasionally oatmeal, plain noodles, or plain Cheerios (all well cooked/soaked). I don't know how to describe the amounts as it varies but I've researched how to feed any/all new treats. It's about every other day they get treats of some form in the winter as they are not going outside in freezing temperatures.
 
They are free fed Dumor 16% layer crumbles. I feed a variety of treats in moderation including scratch corn, dried meal worms/beetles/crickets or other varied bugs, leftover vegetables/fruits that are still safe for consumption, and occasionally oatmeal, plain noodles, or plain Cheerios (all well cooked/soaked). I don't know how to describe the amounts as it varies but I've researched how to feed any/all new treats. It's about every other day they get treats of some form in the winter as they are not going outside in freezing temperatures.
Are his poops strange?
 
As far as I can tell, no. It's hard to say what is what since there are 9 but I haven't seen anything out of the ordinary at all.
Can he stand up now?
Any other symptoms besides lethargic?
I know roos and other nonlayomg birds shouldn't eat layer feed due to the excessive calcium, but I can't remember when kidney issues start kicking in
 

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