New Chicken: Broody/Molting/Sick?

NeChickenmom

Hatching
Sep 28, 2016
8
0
7
Nebraska
Adopted a new hen yesterday, an EE who is about 2 years old. Was told she was molting when I got her, but she didn't look too bad just feathers in disarray and a bit unkempt and pinfeathers around her bum.. When I got her home last night she was just laying in the carrier and didn't jump out or seemed to be bothered being touched. After I got her out of the carrier she popped (large but normal) ran into the corner and continued sitting. I thought she may just be trying to lay. After about an hour, I checked on her and tried to show her food and water but she was not interested. She went into a nesting box and continued to sit. She starting singing as if she had laid, but there still was not an egg. I checked her belly and feathers and she is missing all the feathers around her vent but none around belly. Throughout watching her all day, she did get up and eat one time and has stood up to tell our other EE she didn't want her around. Twice I have found her hiding in other locations and took her back to the nesting box she had been in. She doesnt growl or peck when touched just makes noises and scoots further back in the box. I also tried putting a couple eggs under her but she just stepped on them like they weren't there. Can someone explain the behavior? Since she is new I'm not sure her normal behavior. I did put some DE on her bum incase the feathers loss was mite or lice related. Does this sound like broodiness? Molting? Illness? I'll add a photo once I get back in the coop.
 
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Will do! We tried last night but didn't see anything, but could be because I don't have experience with having them. I put DE on her back and bum Incase that is what it was but rom what I've been reading it seems like a poultry dust might be more effective if that is that case.
 
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I would leave her alone for a few days. Sounds to me like she's just trying for figure out her new home. Let he go where she wants, don't keep moving her or messing with her. Give her a week or so to get acclimated.
 
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I would leave her alone for a few days. Sounds to me like she's just trying for figure out her new home. Let he go where she wants, don't keep moving her or messing with her. Give her a week or so to get acclimated.
This^^^^

She is molting and is also afraid of her new home. Be careful handling her, those pin feathers are 'uncomfortable', full of blood and if broken can bleed a lot.
Hopefully your other birds are not picking on her, existing birds do not like newcomers and will often attack them. She's in the nest to hide from them.
Putting single new bird into the flock can be a clustertangle of violence.

Feeding a higher protein feed can help her grow her new feathers faster.

Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading, tho some info is outdated IMO:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock
 
Will do. Glad to know she is molting then. I am now leaving her be. Today she was out walking around a bit and then found a new nesting box to sit in for the day. She was one of three who were integrated, no pecking or feather pulling at all or I would separate from the old flock. A few have stopped to look at her, but she just stands up in her box and they walk away. I have attempted to give her her own separate food and water (and treats) but still does not seem interested. Will the higher protein feed (probably will get the Feather Fixer) be okay for the other hens and rooster to eat? Should I also supplement with calcium if all are okay to move to this?
 

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