Antwerp Bantam, Ill?

[Dan2005]

Hello all,

I need some help.

Since yesterday, my Antwerp Bantam (Pip) seems a little off.

She's been staying in the coop most of the time and is just generally not at all as active as she normally is.

I've been thinking she might be egg bound, as she hasn't laid her first egg yet, but it doesn't feel like she's got anything stuck.

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks, that the bigger chickens have been going at the smaller ones, but it's only been a little more pecking than usual...could she just feel left out etc ? She's the smallest chicken I have currently.

Below some photos of her about ten minutes ago

Her crop feels normal, maybe a bit empty. But she is definitely eating and thoroughly enjoyed the bird seeds I just gave her...

Can anyone think what might be wrong with her ?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks, that the bigger chickens have been going at the smaller ones, but it's only been a little more pecking than usual...could she just feel left out etc ? She's the smallest chicken I have currently.

Isn't she cute!

How old is Pip?

What do you feed her, including treats?

If she's being picked at by some of the bigger chickens, she may be feeling a bit timid and is hiding out/avoiding them. Make sure she does have places to hide but is also getting to food/water o.k. Sometimes older birds can keep the youngsters away from food/water and they become dehydrated and don't feel well due to not eating very good.

I like to provide at least 2 feed stations spaced far apart in my coops, this way the bolder birds can't control all the feed. Try adding another feed station, maybe another water station too if possible.

If you think she should have started laying by now and you feel she's struggling with expelling an egg, give her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 or 1 TUMS for a few days to see if that makes a difference.