broody or sick?

[dorig]

I have a Wyandotte, about 1 year old, who has been acting strangely for the last few weeks. At first, I thought she was just broody and/or moulting, but then I found what looked like mites on her skin. Cleaned coop from top to bottom and replaced all straw. Consulted a vet and experienced friend, made a wood ash/DE dust bath in the run and lightly treated nesting boxes with Pyrethen dust. Don't see mites, but all she wants to do is sit on a nest. When hens are done laying by afternoon, I lock them out of the coop to keep her off the nest, but she paces until she can get back in there. She is also losing some feathers and just doesn't look as bright as my other Wyandotte. The skin on her belly is a little red in places. Until she started acting like this, we would get an average of 5 eggs per day from our 6 hens. Now we are only getting an average of 3. Any thoughts?

 

[easttxchick]

Does she seem kind of cranky and grumpy? Have you tried to take an egg out from under her?
Is she eating and drinking OK?

 

[dorig]

She seems to be eating and drinking okay. She comes out on her own in the morning for a while to eat and drink, but I have to encourage her to go out a few other times during the day. I think she would just sit otherwise. Did see some mites on her skin still tonight. Gave her another wood ash dust bath and will clean the coop again mid week. When I block her from going to the nests, she will cruise around and eat and drink for a bit and then she becomes a bit frantic when she can't seem to get back in. I feel badly.

 

[dorig]

Have removed her and put her outside. She doesn't fuss. I think the kids have grabbed an egg or two from underneath her.

 

[easttxchick]

Continue to watch her for a couple of days-she may be getting ready to go broody.