TheResidentialFarm
In the Brooder
- Jun 8, 2017
- 70
- 43
- 46
Hi All,
In March, I brought home 9 one-year old birds (8 hens and a rooster). When we picked the hens up, one had a bare back, but we were told that was just wear from the rooster. That hen has never been quite right.
She is the only one in our flock (now 26 hens) to lay her eggs on the floor of the coop. We've been through several rounds where it looks like she's growing back her feathers, but then she's suddenly bare again, with red angry skin. We dusted her for mites, sprayed her for mites, stripped and treated the coop for mites, and dewormed her twice. With 26 hens, rooster-wear should not be an issue anymore. We've never actually seen the rooster mount her.
We had suspected vision issues, but in the last month she's walked into our legs multiple times. We can wave a stick in front of one eye and get no reaction, only a slight reaction from the other side. She bumps into other hens and gets pecked. She casually steps off platforms and falls to the ground.
This Saturday, I went out to the coop around 11 am and she was still on the roost. Worried, we locked her in the duck house with private food and water, and she ate and drank a ton. She's been sleeping in the duck house on a temporary roost since. She spends her days locked in the duck house (it's very open and she can interface with the ducks) where no one can chase or peck her, but I feel bad that her life is sad. I'm also worried she won't be able to keep warm this winter while missing so many feathers.
Does this sound like symptoms of a larger disorder? Is there anything else we can do for her? Should we carry on as best we can or is it kindest (knowing that my husband would never go for an indoor chicken) to cull her before winter?
Any suggestions appreciated!
In March, I brought home 9 one-year old birds (8 hens and a rooster). When we picked the hens up, one had a bare back, but we were told that was just wear from the rooster. That hen has never been quite right.
She is the only one in our flock (now 26 hens) to lay her eggs on the floor of the coop. We've been through several rounds where it looks like she's growing back her feathers, but then she's suddenly bare again, with red angry skin. We dusted her for mites, sprayed her for mites, stripped and treated the coop for mites, and dewormed her twice. With 26 hens, rooster-wear should not be an issue anymore. We've never actually seen the rooster mount her.
We had suspected vision issues, but in the last month she's walked into our legs multiple times. We can wave a stick in front of one eye and get no reaction, only a slight reaction from the other side. She bumps into other hens and gets pecked. She casually steps off platforms and falls to the ground.
This Saturday, I went out to the coop around 11 am and she was still on the roost. Worried, we locked her in the duck house with private food and water, and she ate and drank a ton. She's been sleeping in the duck house on a temporary roost since. She spends her days locked in the duck house (it's very open and she can interface with the ducks) where no one can chase or peck her, but I feel bad that her life is sad. I'm also worried she won't be able to keep warm this winter while missing so many feathers.
Does this sound like symptoms of a larger disorder? Is there anything else we can do for her? Should we carry on as best we can or is it kindest (knowing that my husband would never go for an indoor chicken) to cull her before winter?
Any suggestions appreciated!
Last edited:
We had to cull a Wyandotte recently who had deformed feet, never laid an egg (18 months old), and always acted sulky. And our broody hen died on the nest on day 21. Keeping chickens is a real emotional roller coaster.
