Sumatra Rooster Noises

[Chicken Momma6]

I have a 4 month old Sumatra rooster that hiccups and makes odd soft honking noises immediately after he eats for up to one hour. His breathing also seems labored during this time. I noticed it when he was about two months old & separated him for 30 days. He had watery stools for a few days. I gave him vitamins & he perked up. He is always hungry and is growing fast with gorgeous feathers. It seems that he has learned to eat smaller amounts so he must eat more often. The rest of my flock is fine so I don't believe he is sick.
I wonder if he has a defective esopahogus/trachea? He seems fine the rest of the time but still noisy like he is whining for something. He is very gentle & in with my hens now. My rooster flock targets him due to the separation & his noises. He & my entire flock are only pets/eye candy and are not breeders. Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @Chicken Momma6 Welcome To BYC

Can you get a video of his actions? Upload to youtube and provide a link.

Check his crop several mornings in a row to see if it's empty before he eats/drinks. I would also look inside his beak for any sores, plagues mucous or canker.

What type of food/treats do you feed and do you provide a source of poultry grit (crushed granite)?

 

[Chicken Momma6]

I have provided chick grit since about 4 weeks if given any treats besides crumbles. Usual treats are corn scratch, 5 grain scratch, or dried mealworms. He has been on the ground since 2 months old with access to normal ground pebbles. I will check his mouth, throat, & crop as suggested. Will attempt the video but I am a technology dinosaur. Thank you for the suggestions.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

My BLRW cockerel would always make soft honking noises when he was happy... He grew out of it after learning to crow... Or maybe I'm wrong?

 

[Chicken Momma6]

My BLRW cockerel would always make soft honking noises when he was happy... He grew out of it after learning to crow... Or maybe I'm wrong?

That is comforting to hear. I really hope that is the case here. He is such a sweet boy. Do Sumatras mature slower than other breeds? How old was yours when he began crowing? I got him & a hen in separate batches of bantams at Tractor Supply. He is almost 3x her size!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

hiccups and makes odd soft honking noises immediately after he eats for up to one hour. His breathing also seems labored during this time.

A voice changing does not explain hiccups, honking and labored breathing immediately after eating and continuing for an hour or so. He's either having difficulty swallowing food, has something like a blockage, his crop is not emptying or there is some type of deformity.

 

[Chicken Momma6]

I agree! I can hear the air coming in and out. He is fine within an hour or so. He is worse on hotter days. He is my only completely black rooster with lots of feathers that doesn't help with cooling down. I tried videoing today but he was much quieter. It is a bit overcast here & cooler. I don't handle my chickens often but just like to observe their behavior. Trying to look down his throat is going to be interesting.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree! I can hear the air coming in and out. He is fine within an hour or so. He is worse on hotter days. He is my only completely black rooster with lots of feathers that doesn't help with cooling down. I tried videoing today but he was much quieter. It is a bit overcast here & cooler. I don't handle my chickens often but just like to observe their behavior. Trying to look down his throat is going to be interesting.

Wait until he goes to roost (bed), grab him then. If you need to swaddle him loosely in a towel to capture his wings this way you have some control over him. Having a helper would be great too, one to hold him while you examine him.