NeChickenmom
Hatching
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.