17 week self isolating hen

[KateC]

Hi! I am a first time chicken owner. I have a flock of 6 hens, they are all 17 weeks and have not started laying eggs.

One hen (a legbar) has started self isolating. I noticed yesterday she laid under the porch most of the day. I thought she might be nearing egg laying. Today she is standing in the corner and won’t eat. I checked her for mites and don’t see anything, there have been no changes to their environment, no hens are bullying her. Any idea what might be going on???

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Do you have any pictures of her standing away from the flock? Is she puffed up? Have you seen any weird poops? My first suspicion would be coccidiosis and you can treat the whole flock with Corid

 

[CabritaChicks]

As mentioned—do you have a photo? Is the bird fluffed up? Tail or butt held in the air?

It’s definitely possible that illness is involved, but it’s also important to consider your location—though you didn’t mention it. Many areas are dealing with extreme heat right now, and not all chickens handle it equally well.

I had a New Hampshire Red that showed some similar signs—paler comb, eating more slowly, and she often separated herself from the flock (though she stayed close to me when I was around and was very vocal). She ended up being the first to lay at around 17 weeks.

Her droppings looked normal, no parasites and I didn’t find any mites or lice. Turns out, seems she was just trying to find a quiet, safe place to lay. Once she did, her comb brightened up again, and she’s been eating like a champ ever since. I think she’s just a little more sensitive than the others, and between the stress of laying her first egg and the intense heat, it hit her a bit harder (could be respiratory, cardiac from poor failure to thrive, anything). Keeping an eye on her a week later.

 

[KateC]

Do you have any pictures of her standing away from the flock? Is she puffed up? Have you seen any weird poops? My first suspicion would be coccidiosis and you can treat the whole flock with Corid

Thank you! I just edited my post to include pictures. Her poop has appeared normal, maybe slightly watery but nothing completely off.

 

[KateC]

As mentioned—do you have a photo? Is the bird fluffed up? Tail or butt held in the air?

It’s definitely possible that illness is involved, but it’s also important to consider your location—though you didn’t mention it. Many areas are dealing with extreme heat right now, and not all chickens handle it equally well.

I had a New Hampshire Red that showed some similar signs—paler comb, eating more slowly, and she often separated herself from the flock (though she stayed close to me when I was around and was very vocal). She ended up being the first to lay at around 17 weeks.

Her droppings looked normal, no parasites and I didn’t find any mites or lice. Turns out, seems she was just trying to find a quiet, safe place to lay. Once she did, her comb brightened up again, and she’s been eating like a champ ever since. I think she’s just a little more sensitive than the others, and between the stress of laying her first egg and the intense heat, it hit her a bit harder (could be respiratory, cardiac from poor failure to thrive, anything). Keeping an eye on her a week later.

I am in Texas so yes, we do have extreme heat which could definitely exacerbate any symptoms! I am struggling to figure out if it could be her first egg or if she is sick.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

I am in Texas so yes, we do have extreme heat which could definitely exacerbate any symptoms! I am struggling to figure out if it could be her first egg or if she is sick.

She seems to be looking very well in these pictures!

I know that I look like something the cat dragged in when this heat and humidity hit.