Chicken injury!?! What do I do?!

[Katiebee72]

Our three chickens were being fostered while we found a new house, moved and then built our new coop. It ended up being like 6 months that they were there so they became an integrated part of a larger flock. Long story short, we picked them up today and we were told that our columbian wyandotte was being brutally picked on and had to be segregated from the rest of the flock because they had eaten her comb off? I dont know the whole story but that's besides the point. Anyways, now she's acting really weird. She's eating and drinking normally but is laying down a significant amount of the time and the other two literally just walk all over her. When she gets up to walk, she doesn't walk normally, it almost resembles a little old lady walking with a cane and she won't roost, she's sleeping under the nesting boxes while the others roost. I'm not sure if this is bottom rung of the ladder behavior or if she got really injured and is recovering or really what I can do to help her. I guess what I'm looking for is some guidance on what I should do in this situation? Should I try and keep her segregated from the other two for a while to see if she improves or should I let them work it out themselves? Before we moved she was the head hen and was vibrant and happy and now it's the saddest thing to see her so down in the dumps. Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

There she is laying in the corner and then under the nesting boxes (which is actually just a shelf right now, we gotta figure out how to put some dividers up, if you have any ideas on that too, that would he awesome!)

 

[micstrachan]

It sounds more like illness or her spirit is broken, but not necessarily injury. How old is she? Do you know if she had a best friend in the other flock? If so, might they let you have her, too? Watch her laying behavior. She could have a laying disorder. She could also be heading into molt. There are a number of different things it could be. Also, there is stress involved in moving, so it’s normal for them to be out of sorts. I would watch and see a day or two. Offer them vitamins and electrolytes in their water to help with the stress. You may also want to examine her head to toe. Do you know what to look for?

 

[micstrachan]

Is she acting fearful of the other hens?

 

[Katiebee72]

Is she acting fearful of the other hens?

Maybe a little bit, she's just hanging out by herself but isn't running or walking away from them either.

 

[micstrachan]

Chickens isolate themselves when they don’t feel well. I suggest you look her over. Gently palpate and feel all over to see if she flinches in pain. Check for crop function. It should be full at night and empty in the morning. Feel her breast muscle. Is her keel (breast) bone protruding sharply? Check carefully for parasites and inspect her poop. Look at her vent. Is it clean and normal looking? Feel her abdomen (fluff under vent and between legs). Is she bloated? What color is her comb? Are her eyes bright and clear? How old is she? Do you know what she was eating while in the care of your friend? I ask all these questions so we can help you narrow it down.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I agree you just can’t look at her you need to examine her. Chickens have natural defense mechanism to not “show” problems she clearly IS. You spoke of her comb a picture Of the comb would be of great help. Are you sure the others don’t pick/peck her? Take your time and really check her over Right down to the skin. Head to toe. Let us know what you find. Keep us posted.

 

[Katiebee72]

Chickens isolate themselves when they don’t feel well. I suggest you look her over. Gently palpate and feel all over to see if she flinches in pain. Check for crop function. It should be full at night and empty in the morning. Feel her breast muscle. Is her keel (breast) bone protruding sharply? Check carefully for parasites and inspect her poop. Look at her vent. Is it clean and normal looking? Feel her abdomen (fluff under vent and between legs). Is she bloated? What color is her comb? Are her eyes bright and clear? How old is she? Do you know what she was eating while in the care of your friend? I ask all these questions so we can help you narrow it down.

That's a great start! Thank you! She's a little over 2, her comb is bright red and eyes appear normal, she doesnt seem to be bloated and her crop was full this evening. She was just eating a layer pellet food from our local co op.

 

[Katiebee72]

I agree you just can’t look at her you need to examine her. Chickens have natural defense mechanism to not “show” problems she clearly IS. You spoke of her comb a picture Of the comb would be of great help. Are you sure the others don’t pick/peck her? Take your time and really check her over Right down to the skin. Head to toe. Let us know what you find. Keep us posted.

Thanks! I did a quick check when we got her home and she looked normal but I wasnt able to do a thorough check but I will for sure tomorrow. She has a pea-comb

I agree you just can’t look at her you need to examine her. Chickens have natural defense mechanism to not “show” problems she clearly IS. You spoke of her comb a picture Of the comb would be of great help. Are you sure the others don’t pick/peck her? Take your time and really check her over Right down to the skin. Head to toe. Let us know what you find. Keep us posted.

Thanks! I was about to a basic check when we got her home but I wasnt able to do a thorough check but I definitely will do tomorrow. Her comb looks like a normal pea comb and is bright red and doesnt appear dry. I'll let you know what I find