Mr. Rooster Is Having Some Issues.

[AnimalFamily]

We have a rooster who is not a spring chicken by any means, but still pretty spry for an older fellow.
Recently his 'crower' has not been sounding very good. I really don't mind because he normally stands right outside my windows and crows at all times of the day, however if he has a problem I would really like to help him.
It's quite entertaining when I am on the phone......."Did I just hear a chicken??"
Here lately it has been quite garbled, like he has laryngitis or something?
Otherwise, he seems to be in good health.
I was wondering if anyone here has experience with birds and might know what is causing this?

[Catherine]

Can a rooster lose his voice? Has he been crowing too much and strained his voice. Do they lose their voices with age?

I hope someone here knows something. Is it really cold. I have no idea. Is he well otherwise and is he eating.

I hope Mr Rooster is okay.

[LPC]

I know next to nothing about chickens (roosters). However, I did a net search for "rooster losing his voice" and found these:
http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4536
and
http://www.justanswer.com/bird-vet/3f9u4...-dose.html
and
http://www.justanswer.com/bird-vet/2o2ll...owing.html

I hope they help. Please let us know how things go.

[Catherine]

Those are good sites. I hope they help Animal Family sort things out. Mr. Rooster is special and we wouldn't want anything to happen to him.

[AnimalFamily]

So sorry it took me so long to get back here. Thank you very much for the links LPC!! I will check them out ASAP.
He has been sounding a little better this week. Unfortunately, to add insult to injury he seems to have found himself some trouble the other day. He came home with a bloody wattle.
We had a long talk and I explained the importance of not wandering off. I sincerely hope he has learned his lesson. He is doing just fine and healing nicely. I have noticed too, that he has been staying in the yard all week. Silly rooster!!

Update: I read all the links. His wattle looks fine [very vibrant red] and no discharge from his nose. In any event, I did give him some garlic which is a staple antibiotic around here. They love it and it will take care of most problems. I will continue to watch him. Hopefully he wil be back to 100% soon. I can already here him crowing much better than a week or so ago.
Thanks also to Catherine. Yes he is a very special chicken. He is so good to his 'ladies'!!

[Catherine]

I am glad to hear that Mr. Rooster is doing better. I am sure your little talk made him see the error of his ways.

I am sure the girls and all the rest of you are glad to hear in fine crowing form again.

My first thought when you said you gave him garlic: won't that make his eggs taste funny? Maybe I am a little tired and my brain is not working quite right.

[AnimalFamily]

How funny! That sounds like something I would say, lol.
Unfortunately, we lost Mr. Rooster yesterday. I believe it was from the injuries he sustained recently. he seemed to be holding his own, but he was torn up pretty bad on his head. Pretty sure it was a dog that got ahold of him, but who knows for sure. It's hard to keep track of chickens 24/7. They do tend to wander during the day.
He was our first rooster and has been with us many years. We will miss him!!!

[Catherine]

I am so sorry. Poor Mr. Rooster.
He is going to be missed. You have had him forever. The hens are going to miss him a lot.
He must have been hurt worse than you thought. No doubt there are a lot of predators out there, but you are right, it is probably a dog.
He was probably protecting his girls.
Mr. Rooster had a good and happy life with you. Few chickens ever have so much freedom and fullness in their lives. RIP. Mr. Rooster.