Flock of 9: 8 hens (5 are 6yo and 3 are 4yo) and a 5yo roo. All doing well (getting 3-5 eggs/day right now) except for one 6yo American Dominique hen.
The Dom hen was laying (3-4 eggs/week) up until about 2 weeks ago. But ever since last autumn she's often sleeping (on her feet) through most of a day and really hasn't been as active as the rest (not unexpected, she's an old bird). She will go out and free range with the flock when we let them out of the run, and she will forage some, but often ends up somewhere sheltered just standing and snoozing.
Three days ago, I saw one of the 4yo hens attack her; actually jumped on her, held her down and pounded her face and comb good before I could get across the yard and run her off. Tore the Dom up good, so I separated her to stop the bleeding, clean her face up, and let her heal so she didn't get mobbed.
Now that we've got her separate and have really been watching her, noticed her poop is watery about 90% of the time; normal colors and no blood or mucous, but liquid and super stinky. She is eating, but not as much as would be expected, and she is drinking fine. When she's moving and active, she's perfectly fine, well balanced, nothing out of the ordinary at all.
The whole flock was wormed and also treated (coop as well) for a chicken mite infestation about a month ago. Everything is cleared up and looks good. No evidence of parasites on her, and other than her injuries from the hen attack, she looks healthy (red comb, yellow legs, and she's grooming and keeping her plumage up). Nothing in her mouth or throat out of the ordinary, no sour odors from her mouth, and she fills her crop up and it seems to empty normally (full in the evening, empty by dawn).
She does feel light like she's lost weight, though, which really concerns me, but can't pinpoint anything as a cause. Can't put her back in the flock as is, as I'm assuming she actually got jumped because the other chickens detect and issue, but no one's telling me what it is. :/ Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks much!
The Dom hen was laying (3-4 eggs/week) up until about 2 weeks ago. But ever since last autumn she's often sleeping (on her feet) through most of a day and really hasn't been as active as the rest (not unexpected, she's an old bird). She will go out and free range with the flock when we let them out of the run, and she will forage some, but often ends up somewhere sheltered just standing and snoozing.
Three days ago, I saw one of the 4yo hens attack her; actually jumped on her, held her down and pounded her face and comb good before I could get across the yard and run her off. Tore the Dom up good, so I separated her to stop the bleeding, clean her face up, and let her heal so she didn't get mobbed.
Now that we've got her separate and have really been watching her, noticed her poop is watery about 90% of the time; normal colors and no blood or mucous, but liquid and super stinky. She is eating, but not as much as would be expected, and she is drinking fine. When she's moving and active, she's perfectly fine, well balanced, nothing out of the ordinary at all.
The whole flock was wormed and also treated (coop as well) for a chicken mite infestation about a month ago. Everything is cleared up and looks good. No evidence of parasites on her, and other than her injuries from the hen attack, she looks healthy (red comb, yellow legs, and she's grooming and keeping her plumage up). Nothing in her mouth or throat out of the ordinary, no sour odors from her mouth, and she fills her crop up and it seems to empty normally (full in the evening, empty by dawn).
She does feel light like she's lost weight, though, which really concerns me, but can't pinpoint anything as a cause. Can't put her back in the flock as is, as I'm assuming she actually got jumped because the other chickens detect and issue, but no one's telling me what it is. :/ Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks much!