Bullying, Egg-Eating, and Depression?

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

I would do what slordaz recommended and quarantine her off but where the others can see her. That way you can monitor her egg production and food intake and such. Is the run big enough to hold all of them?

It's quite big. There are seven of them in a 16' x 8' space, with plenty of roosts. We are also working on a chicken tractor that should be done in a couple weeks. We have a spacious isolation coop in the basement as well, which I might take her to tomorrow to monitor.

 

[slordaz]

They are on layer feed with oyster shell free choice (and acv in water). All the other four layers use the nesting boxes and those eggs are untouched all day. She drops it in the run and they go right for it.

We may have to separate her. Unfortunately she is not the brightest of the bunch and seems to need social cues to realize she needs to eat and drink.

We do have another EE... Cute thing: despite all the bullying, our other EE always lays next to Darla and will groom her. It's so sweet and I'm happy for that.

try some yogurt or something maybe, also check with local vets and see if they will do a fecal float test for you, if they will you will know if she's got a parasite, worm or maybe infection causing any of this

some nutri drench or electrolyes would be a good thing if she's stressed out and something is off

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

What breeds do you have? Is Darla your only Easter Egger.

We have one other EE (who is half Darla's size but so spunky). They stick together and are both the sleepyheads of the flock (they like to nap together and sleep in longer than the others). The other EE gets pecks from the bullies too but not to the same degree. She's also smarter and more spirited.

I want to mention, Darla also seems to have a slightly crooked spine or something (scoliosis? Wry tail?). Not sure if that adds to the issue.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

What breeds do you have? Is Darla your only Easter Egger.

Oh, and the other 5: GLD (main bully), BR (other bully but less intense), RIR, ISA Brown, and BO. The latter three let her be.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

try some yogurt or something maybe, also check with local vets and see if they will do a fecal float test for you, if they will you will know if she's got a parasite, worm or maybe infection causing any of this

some nutri drench or electrolyes would be a good thing if she's stressed out and something is off

I'm thinking about seeing if I can get a sample tomorrow to take to the vet (I may just take her too because I'm a worry wort).

 

[slordaz]

We have one other EE (who is half Darla's size but so spunky). They stick together and are both the sleepyheads of the flock (they like to nap together and sleep in longer than the others). The other EE gets pecks from the bullies too but not to the same degree. She's also smarter and more spirited.

I want to mention, Darla also seems to have a slightly crooked spine or something (scoliosis? Wry tail?). Not sure if that adds to the issue.

I have never seen that, going to ask some that might know about that kind of thing
@Wyorp Rock
@oldhenlikesdogs
@casportpony

 

[slordaz]

Oh, and the other 5: GLD (main bully), BR (other bully but less intense), RIR, ISA Brown, and BO. The latter three let her be.

Then maybe the 2 bullies are ones that should be put in isolation for a week or 2 after you get the info you need from her, if the others are all getting along

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

if you want to check for egg bound you can always do a Epsom salt soak for 10'15 minutes or as tolerated, and while drying her off check to see if you can feel egg in there.
it's hard to say if she has been laying normal eggs or not as you haven't seen any. but seperating her like that to make sure she is getting enough and isn't calcium deficient would be a good start and let you see what kind of egg she is laying. you can put a temp divider in there for her

We saw the first one which was small but strong and normal shaped. It had one peck in it (we had her and another in an isolation pen due to heat). Since then haven't been sure, only remnants.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Oh, and the other 5: GLD (main bully), BR (other bully but less intense), RIR, ISA Brown, and BO. The latter three let her be.

What’s a GLD?
Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, & the Production brown egg layers don’t mix well with other breeds.

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

What’s a GLD?
Plymouth Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, & the Production brown egg layers don’t mix well with other breeds.

Sorry... Sleepy. **GLW gold-laced Wyandotte. She's beautiful and I love her but she really has a sadistic side