Chicken isolating herself at night

[Ann N]

Hi I'm a new member and after some advice. I have 12 free range hens. One of my girls is a bit of a loner she mixes with the others but can often be found in the field by herself but she seems happy enough. She's eating and drinking ok The last couple of nights however she has put herself to bed in the small coop by herself , whilst all the other hens have gone to bed in the large coop. I'm not sure whether I should leave her alone in the small coop to go to bed or take her out and put her in the large coop back with the others ?.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Sounds like she might be sick. Have you given her an exam from beak to tail? Could she be egg bound? Lice, mites, internal worms? What does her poop look like? Any bumblefoot or respiratory ailments? If a bird is sick in any way, the others can bully them. Is she on the bottom of the pecking order?...as sometimes these birds don't get enough to eat or drink because they are bullied.

You might post this in our emergency section for more help. Include the answers to these questions so they can help you with a better diagnosis...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

I hope your bird is ok and makes a full recovery.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

She may be sick. Check out the link provided by Two Crows.

 

[Ann N]

No she's been with them all from the start , but I think she's at bottom of pecking order. She seems to be eating and drinking ok and happy enough in herself. I'm not sure what her poop is like as she's been with the others. I 've left her by herself tonight in the small coop so I'll see in the morning. One of them is laying eggs with very soft she'll but I've never been able to identify which but I'm wondering if it may be her ?

 

[Ann N]

Should I leave by herself do you think or put her back in with the others ?

 

[Mountain Peeps]

No she's been with them all from the start , but I think she's at bottom of pecking order. She seems to be eating and drinking ok and happy enough in herself. I'm not sure what her poop is like as she's been with the others. I 've left her by herself tonight in the small coop so I'll see in the morning. One of them is laying eggs with very soft she'll but I've never been able to identify which but I'm wondering if it may be her ?

If she is at the bottom then it's 100%normal for her to isolate herself at night.

 

[Ann N]

Is it ok to leave her alone in small coop then overnight or should I take her out and put her with the others do you think ?

 

[TwoCrows]

She really needs to be with the others. Her being separate is only going to make her low status worse. Slip her in after dark on the roost bar so she doesn't have to fight for a spot or get hurt.

But I would still give her an exam to make sure she is ok.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

She really needs to be with the others. Her being separate is only going to make her low status worse. Slip her in after dark on the roost bar so she doesn't have to fight for a spot or get hurt.

But I would still give her an exam to make sure she is ok.

x2

 

[Michael OShay]

She really needs to be with the others. Her being separate is only going to make her low status worse. Slip her in after dark on the roost bar so she doesn't have to fight for a spot or get hurt.

But I would still give her an exam to make sure she is ok.

Welcome to BYC! TwoCrows has given you some good advice. Good luck with your hen.