Behavior change

[Ascholten]

One of my hens is acting very different the last few weeks.
I thought maybe it was because she went through a molt but am seeing it might not be the case.

She used to be ... assertive, but not a bully. she was always one of the first one or two to come running for snacks, to squeeeeeze in there when the food dish was put down etc. Would always come running up to me for a snack and love her back rubbed.

Now, she's like total beta. She's shy, she won't come up to me, she does not want to be around the other girls in the flock either. They don't outright treat her nasty, but she's like, it's like she's not really one of them anymore. When they eat, she will let the 3 eat and then come in later most the times.

I did notice though, if I don't feed them for a while and they are all very hungry, she WILL come up with them but big red, the number one will pick at her and she'll back down and let them eat.

I understand pecking orders change and stuff but to go from outgoing fun girl to timid tammy? Is this normal? Again, the rest are not really picking on her, but rather ignoring her and she become real timid.

Not seeing any health issues, she still eats like a piggy and all but well... just odd.

Aaron

 

[rosemarythyme]

If she recently molted and feathers are growing back in, she could be much more sensitive due to the sensation of pinfeathers so is more reluctant to assert herself against other birds, or even be around them, since she doesn't want to be touched.

 

[Ascholten]

Thank you for the reply rosemary, never thought of that, but makes total sense. Hopefully she gets better soon, don't like moody women around. It just always ends badly

Aaron