Young cockerel observations

[Gorsty]

Hello again folks

Am thinking about changing my name from Gorsty to Mrs Paranoia!

The clucki loose poos appear to have gone away - thank goodness! but have noticed that Little Joe does seem to be sitting down a lot. I say, sitting down, not snuggled down as though he's completely resting but sitting back on his elbows/knees. Do you know what I mean?

Is this normal for poultry? for cockerels? or am I just going off my head? Could it be swine flu Sorry, mustn't get off topic!

No, seriously though = he's bright as a button = comb/wattle bright red = eating really well = is going through that ungainly stage when his feet look far too big for his body -should I be worried?

Anyone witnessed this before?

[MaureenHall]

If he's eating/drinking/pooing ok and his comb and wattles are nice and bright then I wouldn't worry. I've not noticed the "sitting down" behaviour in either of my boys, or in any of the girls come to that, it might just be something he does because it's comfortable

[Snadger]

I was recently asked to cull someone's ISA brown chicken that was sitting down a lot.
She also had bright red comb and bright eyes and was eating, drinking and poo-ing normally so I decided to give her a chance. I put her in the broody hut for a week and she was well fed and watered but kept away from my other chooks.................result, she doesn't sit down any more and is now integrated with the rest of my chooks.
No idea what it was but she appears to be over it now! Funny auld things chooks aren't they!

[RichmondHens]

Growing cocks do sometimes "sit down" a lot - I have come to the conclusion that they get tired (a bit like children) and they take a bit of time to get used to their long legs. Mine do it from time to time, and all turn out to be fit and well birds.

[Snadger]

I installed an old stone sink in one of my runs and filled it with sand. One of them sits in it and won't let the others in!

[Gorsty]

Thanks for your replies - feel less worried now. Its well weird to watch though - he can be scratting around and then down he goes but carries on feeding - OH thought it was cos he's so tall & found it easier to feed - I was worried there was something wrong with his legs or that his feet were sore

Maybe its just growing pains and he'll grow out of it??