FionaRose
In the Brooder
Hello!
I was hoping to get some insight as soon as possible on an issue I’ve noticed in my rooster.
He’s always been a very good bird, watching out for his flock and keeping them healthy.
A few days ago they were unfortunately attacked for the first time out in the yard. We don’t know what did it, as we only found them afterwards. One hen we found dead, and another has since gone missing. None of the other hens seem to be hurt, but he hasn’t been the same since.
We haven’t found any external injuries on him, though there is one spot on his neck that seems like a bubble of air. It’s at the base, and a little inflated, while the other side almost seems like it’s deflated as there’s a small healing cut and the skin is loose... though the bubble hasn’t changed size and doesn’t show any symptoms that a ruptured air sac seems to have.
The most pressing matter though is his behavior. He has been standing still or even lying in the coop with his head bowed to the ground. He won’t eat or drink unless we almost force him (I have to hand feed him and he’ll eat a little, or hold a cup of water to his mouth and he’ll drink). He won’t even move if he’s outside of the coop, where we bring him to feed now. He used to almost never let us touch him or go near the hens, but now doesn’t resist being picked up or touched so we can check for injuries.
I know chickens can hide their pain so that worries me, but could it just be an emotional thing? He almost seems like he’s depressed, but I don’t know if chickens can experience that. Could it be a neck injury that he’s not lifting his head? Any insight would help, as I am very worried about him.
Thank you.
I was hoping to get some insight as soon as possible on an issue I’ve noticed in my rooster.
He’s always been a very good bird, watching out for his flock and keeping them healthy.
A few days ago they were unfortunately attacked for the first time out in the yard. We don’t know what did it, as we only found them afterwards. One hen we found dead, and another has since gone missing. None of the other hens seem to be hurt, but he hasn’t been the same since.
We haven’t found any external injuries on him, though there is one spot on his neck that seems like a bubble of air. It’s at the base, and a little inflated, while the other side almost seems like it’s deflated as there’s a small healing cut and the skin is loose... though the bubble hasn’t changed size and doesn’t show any symptoms that a ruptured air sac seems to have.
The most pressing matter though is his behavior. He has been standing still or even lying in the coop with his head bowed to the ground. He won’t eat or drink unless we almost force him (I have to hand feed him and he’ll eat a little, or hold a cup of water to his mouth and he’ll drink). He won’t even move if he’s outside of the coop, where we bring him to feed now. He used to almost never let us touch him or go near the hens, but now doesn’t resist being picked up or touched so we can check for injuries.
I know chickens can hide their pain so that worries me, but could it just be an emotional thing? He almost seems like he’s depressed, but I don’t know if chickens can experience that. Could it be a neck injury that he’s not lifting his head? Any insight would help, as I am very worried about him.
Thank you.
