Buff Orpington Suddenly Very Agitated Following Illness and Death of Hen

[SusiesPeeps]

My 2-year-old Buff Orpington has suddenly become extremely agitated, unfurling her feathers continuously during the day, a behavior that has drawn the ire of my Plymouth Barred Rock, same age, who has lunged at the BO in response to her behavior, even grabbing bunches of her feathers in her beak. This is happening in the days leading up to this past Thursday, when we lost one of our Light Brahmas, also 2 years, who had vent prolapse a few weeks ago, bounced back from that, but then the last several days was relatively inactive and just standing around on her own with no activity. We had seen this behavior in her before but she always seemed to bounce back and has been a fairly good layer since the 18-month molt. She did always have a "poopy butt," and I would give her warm baths to remove clumps of poop that got stuck to her feathers, used Vetericyn, etc. The last 2 days, however, she could not even stand up. The vets near us do not "see" chickens, so I did what I could after researching, giving her probiotic water in a dropper, etc. Needless to say, she died in my arms while I was giving her a bath. I brought her to our state agricultural pathology service for necropsy to find out cause of death, paid the $25, but was told they may get back to me in about a month. Meanwhile, my BO, who has always been the literal "mother hen" of this 6-member flock that has been together since 2 days old, began this extremely agitated behavior. We set up our emergency chicken coop in the garage and put her in there to separate her from the flock and especially the aggressive PBR. For the last 2 days I've been taking the BO down to the big coop so the others see her, but she continues to cluck in an alarmed way and ruffle her feathers. The last 2 nights, so she is not entirely alone, I've brought our Cinnamon Queen who is always very docile and adapts fairly easily, to sleep with her in the emergency coop, and that has been fine. Amazingly, the BO is still laying almost daily throughout all of this. Is it possible the BO is agitated over the illness and then death of the Brahma? I don't believe the Brahma was the top bird - she was so gentle and docile - loved to be held and "chatted" with us all the time. So, I'm not sure if the aggression between the BO and the PBR is due to how to resolve who will be in charge now. Could the PBR be misinterpreting BO's agitation as aggression? Would appreciate any thoughts and suggestions on how to get this flock back together. In the midst of it all, I am grieving over the first loss of a hen - one who was so amazingly sweet and cuddly.

 

[sourland]

It sounds as if she is going broody. This change in demeanor frequently results in flock mates becoming confused and attacking the broody hen.

 

[SusiesPeeps]

It sounds as if she is going broody. This change in demeanor frequently results in flock mates becoming confused and attacking the broody hen.

Wow. Thanks for that. I had not considered broodiness. So many things happening at the same time. Any suggestions on how to handle?

 

[SusiesPeeps]

It sounds as if she is going broody. This change in demeanor frequently results in flock mates becoming confused and attacking the broody hen.

I had not thought of that because she is laying almost daily. My understanding is that broody hens do not lay eggs.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I had not thought of that because she is laying almost daily. My understanding is that broody hens do not lay eggs.

She might be halfway broody, so still laying and not fully setting but displaying some broody behaviors. Broodiness is all about hormones so if the change in the flock is upsetting her, it could be messing with her hormones a bit and giving you this result.

 

[SusiesPeeps]

She might be halfway broody, so still laying and not fully setting but displaying some broody behaviors. Broodiness is all about hormones so if the change in the flock is upsetting her, it could be messing with her hormones a bit and giving you this result.

Thanks so much for your help. First time I've had to deal with a hen's death and broodiness at the same time. Is it okay to separate my BO (with an easygoing Cinnamon Queen hen) at night until things settle down?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks so much for your help. First time I've had to deal with a hen's death and broodiness at the same time. Is it okay to separate my BO (with an easygoing Cinnamon Queen hen) at night until things settle down?

Up to you, sounds like the birds are agreeable with that arrangement. As the BO is not actually broody (yet) she should be fine being out with the flock during the day, even if they're all being a bit snippy with each other. If she does decide to set, you can proceed as you would a normal broody (either break her or give her chicks).

 

[SusiesPeeps]

Up to you, sounds like the birds are agreeable with that arrangement. As the BO is not actually broody (yet) she should be fine being out with the flock during the day, even if they're all being a bit snippy with each other. If she does decide to set, you can proceed as you would a normal broody (either break her or give her chicks).

Thanks for your help!

 

[Mrs. K]

I thought broody too, right time of year, and I have one that looks like a beach ball when out with the flock. It takes a while for the hormones to come up to full strength. I would leave her with the flock. But I find separating birds causes more problems than it cures. I might however, separate the aggressive bird, if she is really out of line. But I think they do better to work it out.

 

[SusiesPeeps]

I thought broody too, right time of year, and I have one that looks like a beach ball when out with the flock. It takes a while for the hormones to come up to full strength. I would leave her with the flock. But I find separating birds causes more problems than it cures. I might however, separate the aggressive bird, if she is really out of line. But I think they do better to work it out.

Thanks for your thoughts. Much appreciated!