gettinaclue
Almost Self-Reliant
I have an Easter Egger Roo (named THE GRAND DUKE) that I bought on 2 April 2011 along with 9 other chicks from a very reputable local breeder.
At the time of purchase, he was 2 and a half weeks old or so, and the other chicks were almost a week old.
The lady I bought him from said she really didn't want to give him up, but he was not getting along very well with her other roo she had, so she had to let him go. I was more than happy to take him since I really wanted an EE roo to finally have a SS flock and replace my layers as they age out with his chicks and hopefully get some colored eggs from them.
I watched him very carefully for signs of aggression with the other chicks, but he has always been very good and...docile even. He would lay down and let the other chicks jump on his back and he kept order in the brooder. Always a very good roo and I was HAPPY.
We took all the chicks outside about a week and a half ago to the mini-run so our current layers can get used to the chicks before we integrate them all. The mini run is attached to the other run (a temp set up) so everyone can see everyone else and hopefully there won't be any problems - or at least - MINIMAL problems later. I catch The Grand Duke and Eyeball (a Polish roo purchased at the same time) "Duking it out" so to speak, and noticed - he (TGD) was losing!!!
3 days ago, DH and I were looking the chickens over and saw TGD was laying down a lot, and when he would stand, he would not carry his tail feathers and would "pat" the ground with his right leg when he would take a step. Pat, pat, pat the grass, and then put the weight on his leg.
We picked him up and he was noticeably under weight. I checked him for injuries and found none. Checked him for bumblefoot and found nothing. So, we put him in a dog carrier and brought him inside and put him in the bathroom with some food and water.
We just took him outside and he is carrying his tail better, but still not like he should. He also still pats the ground when he steps, and is fluffing up. We still can't find anything wrong with him.
I'm thinking maybe he was injured when I got him? I've never heard of any other roo letting chicks climb on his back.
Also, how long should I keep him isolated?
How long should I try to rehabilitate before I have to cull him.
He is seems to be eating and drinking fine now and seems to feel a little more "full", and his poops are okay.
What are your opinions please?
Sorry for the long post - but I wanted to give ample information.
edited for clarity
At the time of purchase, he was 2 and a half weeks old or so, and the other chicks were almost a week old.
The lady I bought him from said she really didn't want to give him up, but he was not getting along very well with her other roo she had, so she had to let him go. I was more than happy to take him since I really wanted an EE roo to finally have a SS flock and replace my layers as they age out with his chicks and hopefully get some colored eggs from them.
I watched him very carefully for signs of aggression with the other chicks, but he has always been very good and...docile even. He would lay down and let the other chicks jump on his back and he kept order in the brooder. Always a very good roo and I was HAPPY.
We took all the chicks outside about a week and a half ago to the mini-run so our current layers can get used to the chicks before we integrate them all. The mini run is attached to the other run (a temp set up) so everyone can see everyone else and hopefully there won't be any problems - or at least - MINIMAL problems later. I catch The Grand Duke and Eyeball (a Polish roo purchased at the same time) "Duking it out" so to speak, and noticed - he (TGD) was losing!!!
3 days ago, DH and I were looking the chickens over and saw TGD was laying down a lot, and when he would stand, he would not carry his tail feathers and would "pat" the ground with his right leg when he would take a step. Pat, pat, pat the grass, and then put the weight on his leg.
We picked him up and he was noticeably under weight. I checked him for injuries and found none. Checked him for bumblefoot and found nothing. So, we put him in a dog carrier and brought him inside and put him in the bathroom with some food and water.
We just took him outside and he is carrying his tail better, but still not like he should. He also still pats the ground when he steps, and is fluffing up. We still can't find anything wrong with him.
I'm thinking maybe he was injured when I got him? I've never heard of any other roo letting chicks climb on his back.
Also, how long should I keep him isolated?
How long should I try to rehabilitate before I have to cull him.
He is seems to be eating and drinking fine now and seems to feel a little more "full", and his poops are okay.
What are your opinions please?
Sorry for the long post - but I wanted to give ample information.
edited for clarity
