Chicken bald back

[Minnie&Moose]

Our little pekin cockeral, Garlic, isn't right. I'm off to the vet's later this afternoon but wondered if anyone has any ideas. He's moulting at the moment but was fine at the weekend, doing normal things. This morning (I've been away) when I opened the coop he didn't rush out crowing and dancing as he normally does. When I checked him he was very pale, lethargic, and has obviously lost some weight (so I guess hasn't eaten for a few days). I had to go into work but came back to check on him just now - he's more lively but still very pale and scratching around one ear quite a lot. I've searched for lice (and took the eglu apart to check for crawlies in there) - I can't see anything. He was wormed about 2-3 months ago, there's no sneezing, crackling when he breathes, and he smells normal. What am I missing?

[Daphne]

Not sure - let's see if vet spots anything, check for lice/mites under wings and around vent too. Could be an ear infection? Is his crop OK, not squishy and is it empty in the morning?

[Minnie&Moose]

Thanks Daphne. Sadly Garlic was pts. The vet thought it was probably liver/kidney related. No obvious signs of infection or infestation so we decided it was the kindest thing to do. Very sad. We'd grown very fond of him even though he was a mistake - he arrived as a pullet and then one day grew some impressive feathers and started to crow. He wasn't very loud and the neighbours claimed to like the sound of him so he stayed. I

[Daphne]

Oh, I am sorry, I was going to ask how old he was as the symptoms didn't sound too good and I wondered if it might be an end of life issue, but equally it could have been a number of things. At least you took quick action and he didn't suffer unduly and I'm sure he had a good time with the ladies, but its never easy. RIP Garlic

[mullethunter]

Sorry to hear about Garlic.

[Minnie&Moose]

Thanks. It was very strange in the garden today without Garlic bumbling around with his side-kick, Onion. Poor little Onion isn't very happy but seems to have decided to try and move in with the main flock (she and Garlic were living in their own eglu because they were still very young).