StGeorgeChicken
Hatching
- Nov 16, 2023
- 3
- 0
- 4
I have a 7-month old Leghorn Hen that acts normal physically (she runs around, eats, roosts) but is stunted in growth. She is smaller than the other hens and has a small, sad looking comb, but her eyes and beak are clear and bright. She also hasn't started laying and her feathers just look rough like she isn't preening herself. The alpha female tends to chase her off every now and then and I wonder if she knows something I don't.
When the other 3 hens I have started laying, she would scoop their eggs up out of my roll away box and brood on them. This was a problem for weeks until I separated her for a couple of days and now she doesn't do it. I hoped the break in brooding would get her laying, but still nothing; and it's been weeks.
I just don't know what to do. She is sweet and smart, but just seems off physically. Is there dwarfism or growth hormone issues chickens can have? Could this be related to an illness?
When the other 3 hens I have started laying, she would scoop their eggs up out of my roll away box and brood on them. This was a problem for weeks until I separated her for a couple of days and now she doesn't do it. I hoped the break in brooding would get her laying, but still nothing; and it's been weeks.
I just don't know what to do. She is sweet and smart, but just seems off physically. Is there dwarfism or growth hormone issues chickens can have? Could this be related to an illness?