Newbie Chicken owner here.
A little back story:
I have six EE hens, at nine or ten weeks old. Last night, I noticed Butterfly was sleeping on the ground, while all the other five were piled on the highest roost. I guess Butterfly is at the bottom of the pecking order--I've never seen her go into a scuffle with another chicken. She's very passive.
The past week Butterfly has been out in the run pecking with the chickens, having a great time. She was always the first to come out of the run in the morning when I would let them all out. Lately though I noticed she was coming out later than the others, with less energy.
This morning, I noticed her laying down in the middle of the coop's floor, wings spread out and dipping her head, then bringing it up to pant like she was hot or something. It's not hot out-- 60's/50's. She had one leg sticking out from under her and her entire body was heaving slightly.
Wondering what was wrong, I petted her, and she didn't flee like she normally would have. I offered her food from my hand, placing it right under her beak, but she did not take it. I picked her up and examined her but I couldn't find any injuries. As I went to put her down, she flapped her wings promisingly, but as soon as she touched the ground she was the same way I originally found her--spread out, panting, one leg sticking out. I checked Butterfly when I got home from school and she hadn't moved at all--not even changed positions, her wing the exact same orientation as when I had left that morning.
What could be the matter with my wonderful Butterfly? How can I treat her if she's sick?
Thanks in advance!
A little back story:
I have six EE hens, at nine or ten weeks old. Last night, I noticed Butterfly was sleeping on the ground, while all the other five were piled on the highest roost. I guess Butterfly is at the bottom of the pecking order--I've never seen her go into a scuffle with another chicken. She's very passive.
The past week Butterfly has been out in the run pecking with the chickens, having a great time. She was always the first to come out of the run in the morning when I would let them all out. Lately though I noticed she was coming out later than the others, with less energy.
This morning, I noticed her laying down in the middle of the coop's floor, wings spread out and dipping her head, then bringing it up to pant like she was hot or something. It's not hot out-- 60's/50's. She had one leg sticking out from under her and her entire body was heaving slightly.
Wondering what was wrong, I petted her, and she didn't flee like she normally would have. I offered her food from my hand, placing it right under her beak, but she did not take it. I picked her up and examined her but I couldn't find any injuries. As I went to put her down, she flapped her wings promisingly, but as soon as she touched the ground she was the same way I originally found her--spread out, panting, one leg sticking out. I checked Butterfly when I got home from school and she hadn't moved at all--not even changed positions, her wing the exact same orientation as when I had left that morning.
What could be the matter with my wonderful Butterfly? How can I treat her if she's sick?
Thanks in advance!
