Australorp - Losing Feathers, Weight, Not Eating/Drinking & Won't Leave Her Nesting Box

[danioklahoma]

My girl is sick, I think.
I've tried to isolate her with access to apple cider spiked water and food but she's uninterested. I've let her out of isolation to range (and hopefully eat). She ran about for a bit then retreated back to her box where I don't think she's moved for the last 15 hours.
What in the world?!

 

[Eggcessive]

You don't mention how old she is. Could she be broody?

 

[MollyAngel]

Is she appearing to sleep? I had a hen be lethargic like that but she died that afternoon. My only advice is to keep bothering her to run around. Tempt her with delicious snacks, like cheese and mealworms. I hope she feels better.

 

[danioklahoma]

I don't know how old she is exactly - she wasn't a chick when we got her. She's maybe a year.

 

[danioklahoma]

She's not sleeping - she's alert.

 

[azhenhouse]

I am also thinking broody.

 

[danioklahoma]

I'll have to Google "Broody" - LOL

 

[darin367]

throw 5 or 6 eggs under her....... you'll have chicks in 3 weeks..... she wants to be a momma... my australorps are my best mothers...

 

[danioklahoma]

Ack! We can't have chicks. We're in an urban area and can only have a few chickens