chicken behavior.... whats wrong !

BeeBops

In the Brooder
Mar 28, 2016
1
1
22
3 yr.old Buff Orpington, has taken to going off by herself..ALOT. In coop she remains less than active. Might find her sitting in egg nest... at night.
Daytime behavior, odd, she always stayed with group or her “ twin” , they might linger defying Roos commands to stay together. ( 5- hens 1- Roo)
all 5 hens stopped laying daily. Now back to 3 eggs a day. But the Buff , stays on her own ,wanders yard on own, seems to walk bow legged and seems “ tired “ not energetic. There has been a predator of unknown , that tunneled in,over Winter, seems to be gone ...
her butt seems dirty.. wondering if mites? her behavior is odd, Buffs are quiet and sweet, but she seems... depressed! ((( help,,please )))
 
Welcome to posting.

Start with her crop.
Does it feel full, empty, firm or squishy?

Next feel her belly area.
See if it feels full and hard or does it seem full of liquid?
 
I'd isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor her intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and her poops. Feel her abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.
 

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