The Poultry Keeper

Belladonna · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 140 Location: Swansea

I don't know what to do about poor Ruben. He is a cockerel i acquired about 6 months ago, quite old i think, who has taken a turn for the worse.

since Punk-Punk, the younger male, has started crowing and treading the ladies, Ruben has stopped crowing. Then this week i noticed he just wasnt moving around much, listing to one side and looking really sad. i brought him indoors and for the last 5 days he has been living in a box in the utility room. he is eating and drinking fine, has no fleas and is pooing ok, but just doesnt bother DOING anything. he doesnt come out of hte box, doesnt make a sound, just sits there looking miserable.

what on earth shall i do????

CP · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 5:12 pm Post subject:

Sounds like he's depressed, poor thing! Sad

Couldn't you give him a couple of girls of his own? Wink

rubychik · Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:54 pm Post subject:

awww bless, sounds like he's been knocked off the top spot doesn't he?

chicken jules · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

I had the same problem with my Silkie Cockeral Hector. His son did the same, obviously Hector had to back down. He stopped crowing, just stood listlessly in a corner all by himself and felt thoroughly dejected. Fortunately I found a home for his son. and straightaway he was back to his normal self. If you can`t bear to part with the youngster, if possible split your hens for a few weeks with your old cockeral so they have the same amount or thereabouts each, then gradually introduce them during the day but make sure they go their separate ways at night so first thing in the morning your old cockeral...you know with his girls and won`t feel so threatened, eventually they should share. I did this with Hector when I acquired a new Pekin cockeral and it worked.

Good Luck!!