The Stray Rooster...

[hmmcc123]

Quote:
I am still new to the whole "moulting" process but from what I have seen, that doesn't look like moulting. It looks like he has been attacked or excessively feather pecked. That nub you see bleeding appears to be his oil gland. They rub their beak on it and then rub it on their feathers to keep them clean and water resistant.

I mean Molting, not Moulting. lol

 

[ck-newbe]

I agree, looks like the oil gland is bleeding, not a feather. But I don't know what you can do for the bird if you can't catch him. You could possibly try giving him some food. Maybe something yummy like cooked rice, unsalted nuts, oatmeal, fruit or just plain ckn feed. Good luck to you and the stray roo.
Quote:
I am still new to the whole "moulting" process but from what I have seen, that doesn't look like moulting. It looks like he has been attacked or excessively feather pecked. That nub you see bleeding appears to be his oil gland. They rub their beak on it and then rub it on their feathers to keep them clean and water resistant.

 

[ProudNewChickenMommy86]

I Have 5 That Are Molting Right Now And It Looks Like He's Starting To. Looks Like New Feathers Are Trying To Come In, But I Do Know He Has Been Fighting, He Showed Up A Few Days Ago With No Tail I Though That's The Way He Was Supposed To Be Until He Finally Came Up On The Porch And Perched Up Next To The Girls. I Was Able To Touch Him Once, And Not Again Yet. I Snapped Them 2 Pics Then He Was Done Being Friendly Lol. It Don't Look Too Serious... But I Just Wanted To Ask.

 

[rbaker0345]

I would get a can of blue kote or nitrofurazone spray, or some other kind of wound spray and do my best to get a run-by spraying in. That would keep the flies from laying eggs in the bleeding quill or any other wounds. Its also an antiseptic. It looks like he was attacked by something like a dog. It ain't pretty, but it actually doesn't look too serious.

 

[Tricorn]

Looks like feathers got torn out, not just moulting. Not sure that's the gland, my first thought was that that's a blood feather that got broken. (Yes, feathers can bleed)

I honestly don't know much about chickens and blood feathers, but I do know that in smaller birds a broken blood feather can cause serious damage/death because they are so hard to stop bleeding. In cockatiels you're supposed to pull them, but if you can't catch him that's not going to happen.

I'd say the best thig to do is see if the bleeding's stopped by tomorrow. If not, catch him and either pull it out or use something like quic stop or even cornstarch to help clotting.

 

[hmmcc123]

I guess based on the second photo you posted, it appeared to be injured skin, is that just darker down feathers coming in? I imagine, if it is indeed the oil gland bleeding, a hen found it interesting and started to peck at it. As long as there is visible blood, they will continue to peck at it. Is there anyway to keep your hens away from him so he can heal? Be careful when introducing a stray and or new birds to a flock (although it sounds like he has already been in close contact anyways) as he could carry diseases or bugs. Good luck.

 

[ProudNewChickenMommy86]

Eww. He's A Loner During The Day And Comes In At Night. But He's Gradually Getting Closer. He Might Be My New Rooster?? If He Looses His Attitude Lol. But I Will Take A Look At It And See... Yes It Does Look Like Darker Plumage Coming In. If It Hasn't Stopped By Morning I Will Pluck It Out That Night. He Seems Otherwise Healthy. He's Huge! With A Very Deep Voice. Does He Look Like A Rir?

 

[egglicious]

I'm new but not sure I would pluck it. I think you should try and spray some blue coat on it and let it heal on its own.

 

[Gama]

Hi, not sure if I am missing something or not, but what I am seeing is a broken blood feather. If that is all that is going on then pluck the feather out if it doesn't look like it is clotting. I've had to do it many times on our parrot and once on a chicken. With some smaller caged birds (ours is a small amazon) they can lose too much blood if it doesn't stop bleeding so it's easier to pluck the feather out. I just put a bit of pressure with my thumb right above the feather and grasped the feather at skin level with a pair of tweezers or pliers and pulled it out. My parrot used to go crazy in his cage with his toys and break them...I would walk into the room and it would look like a murder scene. Hope this helps.