Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Injured rooster... Again

Some of you may remember the problems I had with Dunderhead a few months ago. He started limping, and it progressed to where he couldn't even walk. We brought him in the house for a week or so, confining him to one of the brooders. Eventually his limp went away, and he was returned to the yard with his girls.

Yesterday evening I went out to close up the coop and saw him nestled down on the other side of the run. I went over to shoo him towards the coop, but when he tried to run off, he fell over. Couldn't walk. I caught him, and we checked his feet and legs. Couldn't find any injuries. Bones seem whole and unbroken. When I put a finger across the pad of his foot, he grips it with his toes. But he can't walk. Unable to find the problem, I made sure he drank and ate, and nestled him down in the straw in a corner of the coop. I'll see how he's doing this afternoon when I get home.

Cross your fingers for me. Dunderhead can be a pain, and will occasionally come after me if I'm trying to catch one of his girls, but I still really like this bird. He's an awfully pretty boy and takes good care of his ladies. I don't want to have to put him down. LJ sent me an email this morning and said that Dunder was crowing his head off this morning. LJ didn't get a look at him, as it was still dark when he left. Hopefully his exhuberant singing is a good sign.

5 comments:

www.FarmLifeLessons.blogspot.com said...

I hope the singing is a good sign too. Maybe he's had to protect the girls and injured himself in the process...a strain?

I hope he'll be okay.

And, do you wear gloves when you catch him or are his spurs removed?

Chat with you soon!

LindaG said...

I really hope your rooster will be okay. I don't know anything about chickens, yet, so I'll hope and pray for you.

Vickie said...

I don't know zip about chickens, but I was reading about them the other day, and there was a picture of a chicken's foot that had bumblefoot, and the owner just cut that little thing out - didn't hurt the chicken. It looked like a little boil or something. Just thought I'd pass that along for whatever it's worth???? Good luck with your rooster - he IS a pretty boy...

Paula said...

Oh I hope he gets better soon!

Robin said...

Ah man, why do things always have to happen to the chickens you actually like? He is a pretty boy.