[Prod]

I noticed that my cockerel sounded a bit 'off' today  He sounds like he has 'catargh' in his throat  He is quite tame so I picked him up to examine him and noticed that he has some feathers missing close to his neck mainly at the front but around the sides and the flesh seems red. Difficult to see when he is on the ground as his 'mane' covers them.  I could not see evidence of mite either on him or the coop but I dusted him with powder just in case. Other than that he seems perfectly healthy, eating, drinking, treading as normal..  I don't think he is pushing his head through anything.  Has anyone any ideas?   Thanks

[ANHBUC]

I had a long chat with my local vet recently about unwanted visitors on poultry.  He said they can be extremely hard to see, you might have to stare at one spot for minutes before you see something move.  He also said some mites are in bedding and feed and although are not harmful they can cause them irritation.  He prescribed some Frontline spray which I now have in my Chicken First Aid Kit.  Only problem is the 4 week egg withdrawal he said would be needed if/when I use it.  So if I need to use it I will treat then quarantine any affected bird and hope they all don't need treatment at the same time.   

[grinling]

How long have you had him?Have you added to your birds?

[Prod]

Which Frontline is it, is it one specially for poultry?  I bought him last march when I first started keeping chickens along with 4 hens (one of whom died)   I bought 2 more last August and I recently bought 2 call ducks.

[ANHBUC]

No it is the dog and cat one it has not been authorised for poultry or tested so you need a vet to prescribe it and advise on its use.

[grinling]

quite a lot of diseases can cause breathing probs. Is he being picked on at all.?
Mareks can cause feather loss. Has he ever moulted? If you see feathers on the ground pick up and discard in bin.