Sudden and rather concerning behaviour change in rooster

[ll44]

Hello,

I don’t have much experiences this is my first year having chicken and I could use some help, I want to learn and provide best life possible for my flock. My flock is one rooster and six hens.

My 2 and half years old rooster changed in behaviour quite suddenly. At first I thought it is because of cold weather but I’m not sure.

He used to be the best roosters my hens could wish for, he would protect them, show them nests spots and literally give up his treats so they could have more but now, he became very selfish when it comes to food and even pecking other hens which he never done before.
He is isolating himself from the rest of the flock and doesn’t want to sleep in the coop but under the coop which is dangerous as it is currently freezing.

Other changes I noticed are increased grooming, close to no crowing and pale-ish comb.

Thank You a lot in advance!

Edit: added photos, his poop was always off since I got him, his butt is getting dirty which is also new.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hello,

I don’t have much experiences this is my first year having chicken and I could use some help, I want to learn and provide best life possible for my flock. My flock is one rooster and six hens.

My 2 and half years old rooster changed in behaviour quite suddenly. At first I thought it is because of cold weather but I’m not sure.

He used to be the best roosters my hens could wish for, he would protect them, show them nests spots and literally give up his treats so they could have more but now, he became very selfish when it comes to food and even pecking other hens which he never done before.
He is isolating himself from the rest of the flock and doesn’t want to sleep in the coop but under the coop which is dangerous as it is currently freezing.

Other changes I noticed are increased grooming, close to no crowing and pale-ish comb.

Thank You a lot in advance!

Can you check him for mites? How's his poop?

 

[nuthatched]

It sounds like mites, I agree.

 

[aart]

Definitely check for bugs:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Wyorp Rock]

He used to be the best roosters my hens could wish for, he would protect them, show them nests spots and literally give up his treats so they could have more but now, he became very selfish when it comes to food and even pecking other hens which he never done before.
He is isolating himself from the rest of the flock and doesn’t want to sleep in the coop but under the coop which is dangerous as it is currently freezing.

Other changes I noticed are increased grooming, close to no crowing and pale-ish comb.

Thank You a lot in advance!

Photos?

Do check for lice/mites, but also check to see if he's molting.

Often roosters don't feel well during molt. An often food generous rooster that is now in molt is greedy for extra food, goodies and protein.
If he's molting, take him aside, give him a direct dose of Poultry Cell at 1cc per 3 pound of weight and offer him a dish of extra protein like egg, fish or meat a few times a week.

 

[ll44]

Can you check him for mites? How's his poop?

We had mites few months ago so I checked but didn’t notice any, will try to look again.

His poop isn’t good but to be honest it never was. He has watery poop greenish in color sometimes with little red or light brown in it.
Also I noticed his butt is getting dirty with poop I’m not sure why.
He’s the only bird I got from different person, he had to be rehomed. I think he might have coccidiosis when he was young and his intestines got damaged, he’s also half in size of normal rooster and even some hens I have are bigger but it was never bothering him.

 

[ll44]

Photos?

Do check for lice/mites, but also check to see if he's molting.

Often roosters don't feel well during molt. An often food generous rooster that is now in molt is greedy for extra food, goodies and protein.
If he's molting, take him aside, give him a direct dose of Poultry Cell at 1cc per 3 pound of weight and offer him a dish of extra protein like egg, fish or meat a few times a week.

He was molting like a month ago but only on his head, it got him extremely weak too. He doesn’t look like molting at this time.
I already checked for parasites and dewormed my flock. Didn’t find any mites but I will try to check again. When I let them free range he eats a lot even snow (they have plenty of fresh water) but also stands with head close to the body a lot without moving for minutes. He’s also getting his butt dirty which didn’t happens before.

Updated my post with some pics.

 

[ll44]

It sounds like mites, I agree.

I already checked but didnt notice any, will do again. We had mites few months ago and they were nightmare to get rid of so I hope not.

 

[ll44]

Definitely check for bugs:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

We had mites few months ago and it was nightmare to get rid of, so naturally I was looking if I can see any but didn’t, will give it another go.
Is it safe to handle/touch and remove my chicken from the coop for an inspection during the night? I was afraid to do that because I assumed they may think it’s a predator and will stop liking the coop.

 

[aart]

Is it safe to handle/touch and remove my chicken from the coop for an inspection during the night? I was afraid to do that because I assumed they may think it’s a predator and will stop liking the coop.

that's about the only time I examine mine, but I do get them used to being handled off the roost at night from the get go.