Hi, I have a problem with my bantam rooster, he has a large lumpy and bumpy comb which I think is probably quite normal but must be a nusance for him. Anyway, I also have layer hens and another rooster cross (bought as a female). I believe the other layers are pecking at his comb. I haven't noticed it before, but he was bloody and had maggots in the comb, so I have cleaned him up with water, baby shampoo, water rinse, vinegar rinse, dry(hairdryer) and then gave him a hat. I'll see if it dries out fully inside the bumps in the comb and either put honey or betadine on it shortly. Does anyone have any ideas for a. the cleanup b how to stop it in the future? c. about having two roosters? So far one has looked after the layers and one after the bantams, but I'd appreciate any tips in this area too. I've never seen them fight and the only damage that I could see to any of them was to the bantam's comb. Originally I thought he might have got it caught, but it looks like pecking. Thanks, Ramon
Ramon, A few things. Your recipe for repair sounds about right. Get it clean and dry and disinfected. A few days quarantine would probably help too. Does your rooster have a rose comb or a hang over floppy one? Roosters will always fight although generally the bantam wins through perseverance... Hens also are not past giving a rooster the occasional hiding if they can get away with it. [I have met a few women like that too!!] On the bleeding. Get a magnifying glass and make sure that the comb of your rooster isnt overrun with mites or lice. Mites are normally tiny red creatures with legs, lice are normally a bit bigger and white. This will cause excessive scratching and bleeding. I have never seen flystrike on a chook. Generally run your hands over him and feel condition, check up under the wings for lice/mites/ticks etc. He should have a solid feel and this time of year his feathers should be clean and in good condition. Check where he perches and make sure he isnt crammed up against a protruding nail or piece of wire that could be agitating his situation. Hope this helps. floot
Hi Floot, He has a rose comb. I've put him in quarantine, he seemed in better spirits this evening. He was a little overwhelmed from the bath. I checked around the roost, the only other thing it could be was if he were crowing while perched then his comb would could hit the roof. I hadn't really thought of that. There aren't any nails, but if you bang your head on a wall enough then something's going to give and it would be consistent with the look of the comb. He may have got an unlucky tear which caused more blood than usual which is why I noticed it. For the moment, I'll hope that he will heal up and then I'll think about his normal sleeping arrangements. Thanks, Ramon
Hi Ramon, You say you have roosters and you're from Melbourne. Are they legal? Do your neighbours mind? I'd love one, but I'm not sure of our local council's ruling on them (we're in Knox city council). We're in Bayswater - only on a quarter of an acre. Are they very noisy? Cheers, Ksenia
Hi Chookiepoo, We are on an acre and the neighbours don't seem to mind. I spoke to them about getting a rooster before hand and they were ok. He does crow at any time, although he is noticeably quieter than a normal rooster. In Nullumbik, we can keep 24 poultry, there are rules for noise but they are quite subjective. I think the main thing is to keep on good terms with your neighbours. It's a shame that roosters are considered noisy, other birds are considered melodic. We have had several batches of chicks and it is lots of fun raising them and several friends have chickens now. If you are planning to let your hens sit then you need to have a plan for what to do with the other roosters. An alternative to getting your own rooster would obviously be to borrow one or get some fertile eggs. We might be able to work something out. Cheers, Ramon P.S. Our bantam recovered remarkably well. In the end, I think he must simply have caught his comb on something and this started the infection because it hasn't happened since.
Hi Ramon, Glad to hear you're rooster is better. One set of neighbours is fine - they didn't even know we had chooks until I gave them some eggs about 6 months later. On the other side, though, the bloke has sub-divided and built two new units, which have DINK tenants therein. I don't think they'd appreciate roosters crowing at sunrise (although I don't appreciate hotted up cars revving at 11pm on Saturday nights...don't these people believe in mufflers?) I'm ashamed to admit I've never met these neighbours. Anyway, another one of my goals, a little more realistic, is to hatch some chicks for my kids. My son's birthday is late April - do you know if I can get a couple of pure-bred pullets or fertilised eggs around that time? All our current chooks are cross-bred, and never go broody. If we want to hatch some chicks, we need some good mothers. Any suggestions? I'd be happy to buy some fertilised eggs from you if you're not too far (and if you're willing to sell!) Normally I go to Abundant Layers in Macclesfield, but that's only because it's the only place I know of. cheers, chookiepoo
Hi Chookiepoo, Well timing chickens is a little trickey. Cross-breeds will still go broody, I've given eggs to a couple of people with success. You can PM me for eggs (we're in Warrandyte) but like I say it can be luck of the draw if I have eggs at the time. If you ask me, Silkies are the best mothers and pets, but they don't lay so regularly. Unfortunately I just lost a silkie bantam to a dog but will have some chicks or eggs again before too long. You can buy most sorts of eggs, including mixed dozens(we could go halves of something interesting -farms usually ship Australia wide). Eggs keep a while in the fridge so I usually have a few either silkie bantam and/or bantam cross mongrel - haven't tried these yet!!. Perhaps https://home.iprimus.com.au/onslo/vic.htm would be a clue or Fertile Eggs under https://www.backyardpoultry.com/index.ph ... sites.html although Abundant Layers in Macclesfild looks ok too. Cheers, Ramon
