5-month old hen, recent layer, suddenly listless, not eating

[ronaldointhecoop]

We just got 5 chicks in April this year (our first ever), and just got our first eggs (four total) over this past week from one of our Rhode Island Reds. She is the smallest of the bunch, but very precocious. Two days ago she suddenly became listless, not moving when I opened the coop door (she usually darts for freedom). Yesterday I moved her into a bin in our basement, where she's been still and unmoving ever since. Besides the sudden change of behavior, I can't see anything else wrong (no respiratory distress, no discharge, no blood). Still alive this morning, to my surprise, and I got her to take a little water, but she hasn't eaten for at least a day, I think.

Our hens recently started an organic layer feed, are eating kitchen scraps, free-ranging for short periods in our urban yard, and are getting oyster shell mixed with their feed.

Any thoughts??? I'm new to all this, and have no idea what may have happened. Thanks for any input!

 

[kathyinmo]

Have you checked her over for mites, lice, etc? Has she been wormed? How does she feel to you, as far as weight, heavy, light? What kind of envirnment... bedding, etc. Any chance she has gotten into any mold, mildew, fungus? Free choice oyster shell and grit along with Layer feed are recommended as 90 - 95% of the diet.

ETA: By the way ..... WELCOME to BYC!

 

[SunshineSilkies]

Has she laid an egg yet? Maybe she is trying to...just a thought.