cock care is often dominate , as the hen are the one lay all the egg . But today we are going to become our care to the guardian of the flock as we discuss aging rooster precaution , health concerns for cock of all ages , and how you could help your rooster live his best life story into his golden geezerhood .
How Long Do Roosters Live?
Unfortunately , chickens do n’t live as long as many of us backyard chicken keeper like they did . It ’s hard to believe that in just a few short year from raising them as chicks , our flock are insert their golden years . With the median lifespan of a laying hen between four and eight years ( reckon on the stock ) and roosters average five to seven yr , our flocks lamentably age faster than we would like .
Top 5 Rooster Care Health Concerns
When researching rooster care , one of the most surprising bits of entropy you will probably take is that rooster are more prone to some wellness fear than hen are .
As they age , rooster experience lower testosterone storey . While most roosters will remain fairly prolific their entire life , make a backup cock on hand may be a good idea if you want to spawn .
There is no known discourse for this experimental condition .
One of the most difficult part of rooster care is ensuring they do n’t receive too much calcium in their diet . Since the high amounts of calcium in level provender are formatted to match the dietetic needs of a put hen , not a rooster , forestall this experimental condition can be tricky .
Hens need the layer feed to lay healthy bollock and most roosters turn down to eat separately from the residue of the raft , so there is n’t a lot you may do to remedy the situation . However , offering your cock dandelion greens free choice is conceive to endure kidney health .
The combination of high calcium levels and a rooster ’s low water intake can result in his kidney conk out later in life . further your cock to pledge more by providing a strain - free environment with multiple water sources will keep him hydrous and help improve kidney health . Refresh water twice daily for optimal results .
Performing routine monthly medical to expect for extraneous parasites is an essential part of cock guardianship . Since they are so busy looking out for danger and tend to the penury of their ladies , cock rarely have time to care for their own demand , include dustbathing and preening .
Their deficiency of ego - tending puts roosters at a disadvantage for contracting extraneous parasites such as mites , louse and scaly leg mites . If left untreated , these parasite can stimulate damage to your cock ’s feathers and overall health . parasite can also spread to the hen , so be certain to check them regularly too .
Prevent external parasite infestations by treating roosters routinely with an all - instinctive glitch repellent made for chicken .
Also allow your boy(s ) a spa day several time a month , where he can be away from the ladies to ensure he takes a dust tub . Roosters need some meter to relax and reload just like we humans , so give him the break he deserve .
Rooster concern in winter in northern climates is especially wily as they are more susceptible to frostbite than hens are .
cock often turn down to insert their psyche underneath their wings , so they always have an eye out for danger . This behavior can induce frostbite and , in severe cases , gangrene .
If a cock ’s frostbitten coxcomb or wattle lead off to turn black or immature , take it to a dependant veterinary surgeon directly for treatment . If you ’re not lucky enough to have a veterinary surgeon who treat Gallus gallus in your area , humanely dispatch the rooster to keep an torturous expiry .
Trimming and filing spurs is another routine part of rooster care . As roosters age , their prod grow longer and become more rugged to trim . Take care to trim and lodge the spurs regularly to ensure they do n’t curl and get into the back of the cock ’s leg .
2 Top Rooster Behavior Issues
If housed with other rooster , older males are susceptible to being gravely bullied . While this may seem vicious , younger , more fertile rooster will see the sometime males as a threat .
This menace is not just for the rightfield to breed and be top tender , but also as a threat to flock security , as weaker muckle member are more probable to attract the attention of predators .
forbid your older males from being bullied by housing them separately from younger rooster .
Some cock will start to show belligerent tendency as they get on . If your cock normally has a more aggressive personality , there is no pauperization for concern .
However , if an old cock suddenly begin to act sharply ( outside of ordinary fountain breeding behavior ) , it may be a sign that something is wrong .
Cancer , harmonium failure , poor eyesight and even arthritis can trigger something in a cock that make him do sharply toward humans and even his hen . If a cock acts aggressively toward his flockmates , limit him to a safe area away from the rest period of the flock to forestall injuries .
If your elderly rooster begins to show signs of aggression , do not rehome him . If possible , take him to a certified vet to have him checked out . reckon on the diagnosis , discourse may not be possible and your vet may urge euthanasia . Rooster care can also think make some tough option when deciding what is best for our feathered friends , so do n’t be afraid to end his suffering if it ’s in his best interest .
When a vet is not approachable , butcher the older rooster or giving him to someone who is uncoerced to do the butchering is the best pick to preclude needless suffering .
5 Tips for Healthy Rooster Care
Just like hens , cock forethought should be based on preventative care versus treatment . chequer out the tips below if you require to help your rooster live a longer , fitter life .
1 . Protecting your cock from a predator attack is hand down the best style to help your rooster live a long , happy life .
2 . stave off excessive sum of strain by keeping only one rooster per flock .
3 . Even though they may not be as fertile , sure-enough roosters still savour having a flock to look out for . Failing to supply older males with an enough numeral of gentlewoman could cause them to become depressed .
4 . Supplement your rooster ’s dieting with herbaceous plant , prebiotics and probiotic microflora , and rotational pastureland ( when potential ) to keep his digestive tract and resistant system healthy and firm .
5 . Keep hen numbers manageable to preclude overbreeding ( about five to ten females per rooster ) .
Rooster care is unlike than deal for a tidy sum of all layers , but it is n’t difficult . With a proper diet , protection from predators , and some practical knowledge , you may help your best-loved rooster dwell a long , healthy , happy life .
