Something seems off about my cockerel, please help.

[Readstochickens]

I have 3 roosters that are 13 weeks old (also 5 hens that age). One of my roos has been acting ‘off’ since this morning. He looks droopy, separating himself from the flock. I gave electrolytes in all 4 of their waterers, fresh food daily with treats of fresh fruits and veggies. This is my first time with chickens and I’m worried sick what could be wrong with him. I’ve attached pictures of him and also of the other 2 roos the same age as him. Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[nuthatched]

What's his complete diet? Has he ever been wormed?

 

[Readstochickens]

What's his complete diet? Has he ever been wormed?

He eats Dumor chick starter 20% food. I give them all sorts of fresh veggies and fruits, tuna sometimes, egg sometimes. Water changes multiple times a day. 4 waterers for 11 chickens. They free roam 8am-8pm. They also have limited access to their sisters Dumor Layer feed 16%. I do try to discourage the boys and pullets from eating it but I’m not out here 24/7. I keep starter food outside and inside and Layer food is only in the coop. No, he’s never been wormed. Sounds like I better do that. None of them has yet.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

He eats Dumor chick starter 20% food. I give them all sorts of fresh veggies and fruits, tuna sometimes, egg sometimes. Water changes multiple times a day. 4 waterers for 11 chickens. They free roam 8am-8pm. They also have limited access to their sisters Dumor Layer feed 16%. I do try to discourage the boys and pullets from eating it but I’m not out here 24/7. I keep starter food outside and inside and Layer food is only in the coop. No, he’s never been wormed. Sounds like I better do that. None of them has yet.

Layer feed is ok for them to eat. Not always ideal with the higher calcium content but my two rooster do perfectly fine eating it.

I would be surprised if they have worms given how young they are but it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Readstochickens]

Layer feed is ok for them to eat. Not always ideal with the higher calcium content but my two rooster do perfectly fine eating it.

I would be surprised if they have worms given how young they are but it doesn't hurt to try.

Thank you so much! Can I give them the wormer myself or does a vet need to administer it? How do they contract the worms? I’m worried because my husband trapped a rat running along our back fence a week or 2 ago.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Thank you so much! Can I give them the wormer myself or does a vet need to administer it? How do they contract the worms? I’m worried because my husband trapped a rat running along our back fence a week or 2 ago.

You can use goat ivermectin from the feed store. Look online or on BYC for the dosage. Sometimes it is through consuming fecal matter but I'm not sure of the other times. I personally haven't had any issues with worms myself. I doubt it would be from the rat. We've got a rat issue where I live and my birds have been fine and so have my neighbors' birds.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

All of your chickens can eat an all-flock formula. Just make a dish containing oyster shell available for the laying hens, they will help themselves and the non-laying chickens will ignore it.

 

[Readstochickens]

All of your chickens can eat an all-flock formula. Just make a dish containing oyster shell available for the laying hens, they will help themselves and the non-laying chickens will ignore it.

Thank you! I have a dish next to the layer feed of oyster shell. I appreciate your reply!

You can use goat ivermectin from the feed store. Look online or on BYC for the dosage. Sometimes it is through consuming fecal matter but I'm not sure of the other times. I personally haven't had any issues with worms myself. I doubt it would be from the rat. We've got a rat issue where I live and my birds have been fine and so have my neighbors' birds.

They do actually rummage through the compost pile sometimes which includes chicken poo and other compostables like fruit/veg scraps, pine shavings etc. Thank you! I’ll buy the ivermectin tomorrow and look up the dosages.

 

[nuthatched]

He eats Dumor chick starter 20% food. I give them all sorts of fresh veggies and fruits, tuna sometimes, egg sometimes. Water changes multiple times a day. 4 waterers for 11 chickens. They free roam 8am-8pm. They also have limited access to their sisters Dumor Layer feed 16%. I do try to discourage the boys and pullets from eating it but I’m not out here 24/7. I keep starter food outside and inside and Layer food is only in the coop. No, he’s never been wormed. Sounds like I better do that. None of them has yet.

I'd cut our the treats and give him a worming.
You can feed everyone chick or flock feed with available oyster shell.

Layer feed is ok for them to eat. Not always ideal with the higher calcium content but my two rooster do perfectly fine eating it.

Sadly, It actually isn't. Feeding any non laying birds, male or female, a layer formula causes organ damage. It takes about 2 ish years to show side effects .

You can use goat ivermectin from the feed store. Look online or on BYC for the dosage. Sometimes it is through consuming fecal matter but I'm not sure of the other times. I personally haven't had any issues with worms myself. I doubt it would be from the rat. We've got a rat issue where I live and my birds have been fine and so have my neighbors' birds.

Unfortunately, Ivermectin has lost efficacy on poultry worms due to over use.
Fenbendazole is what is typically reccomended now.

 

[GuineaMania]

Is his crop emptying at night?