Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: andyoak on May 03, 2012, 11:37

Title: ill cockerel
Post by: andyoak on May 03, 2012, 11:37

At the weekend I posted regarding our visit from mr fox. I have some hens that the fox had had hold of but not killed which I have been keeping a close eye on and seam to be doing fine now. They have stopped laying but are scatching about and feeded well.

However yesterday and today the cockerel doesn't look too well. He didn't seam at the time to be hurt and I have had hold of him and checked him for wounds but can't see anything. He keeps laying down or hanging his head and seams to be bent over all the time. He's normally first out of the coop every morning but was last this morning and there hasn't been a single cocker doodle do all day.  Looking at him I'm geting to the stage where I think it might be kinder to end it for him but don't want to jump the gun. We have only been keeping chickens for two and a bit years and he was the first bird we bought.

Does his symptoms ring a bell with any one that could throw some advice at me.

thanks, Andy

Title: Re: ill cockerel
Post by: kegs on May 03, 2012, 11:41

I think someone posted recently about a fox attack and their cockerel couldn't even hold its head up it was in such a state of shock for several days.  If there is no other cause for illness (no red mite, worms etc) try to get some food and water down him, maybe some poultry spice and ACV to pep him up and give him a few more days.   It could just be shock and stress and with some TLC he may recover.

Title: Re: ill cockerel
Post by: joyfull on May 03, 2012, 11:44

if the fox got hold of him and he managed to get free he could have sprained his neck. best to keep him somewhere warmish and quiet. He may just need time to recover. I tend to give my birds a powder called critical care formula which I mix with water but you could also use rescue remedy (which is a herbal mix) that could help.

Title: Re: ill cockerel
Post by: andyoak on May 03, 2012, 13:03

thanks for you help, off to see what I can get for him.

Title: Re: ill cockerel
Post by: Diddy Gardener on May 03, 2012, 16:00

Let us know how you get on... it's sad seeing any animal looking glum.  :(

Title: Re: ill cockerel
Post by: andyoak on May 15, 2012, 07:54

Following your advise the next day he looked a little better and it's continued. Now he is back to his normal self including having a go at anyone that walks past the pen!

Glad now I hung off necking him.