chicken just sitting down

[kimber778]

Hello I have 11 chickens that I try to give the best of care to. One of them is just sitting most of the day seems to be difficult for her to move all of them have all of a sudden stopped laying except for a couple of eggs a day. What could be wrong? I try so hard to give them the best life and now very worried about Ms. Strawberry

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You have at least two issues going on. You didn't say how old your chickens are.
The dearth of eggs is (depending on age) is likely from either molt or the fact that summer solstice was over 3 months ago. Or both.
Have you checked your bird that likes to sit for bumblefoot or other foot leg issues?

 

[kimber778]

You have at least two issues going on. You didn't say how old your chickens are.
The dearth of eggs is (depending on age) is likely from either molt or the fact that summer solstice was over 3 months ago. Or both.
Have you checked your bird that likes to sit for bumblefoot or other foot leg issues?

This chicken is almost 2 years old.

You have at least two issues going on. You didn't say how old your chickens are.
The dearth of eggs is (depending on age) is likely from either molt or the fact that summer solstice was over 3 months ago. Or both.
Have you checked your bird that likes to sit for bumblefoot or other foot leg issues?

The other chickens seem to be fine and she has no swelling or black marks on her feet to indicate bumblefoot

 

[chickens really]

Egg bound is a possibility.

 

[kimber778]

I gave her a warm bath, let her sit in the warm water and then checked to see if I could feel any eggs and I could not. I do not know what it could be. Her feet are completely clean, no swelling, no tenderness no blackened or reddened area. I just do not want to lose her. Her name is Ms. Strawberry.

 

[feathermaid]

Hello I have 11 chickens that I try to give the best of care to. One of them is just sitting most of the day seems to be difficult for her to move all of them have all of a sudden stopped laying except for a couple of eggs a day. What could be wrong? I try so hard to give them the best life and now very worried about Ms. Strawberry

Well, because we're entering into fall (I assume you're in the US) and if all the chickens are over 2 yrs, it's quite common for most breeds to dwindle or completely stop egg production for the winter. Chickens require at least 14 hrs of light to produce eggs. Once the daylight hours drop to less than that, their bodies just say "nope" to egg laying... and that usually doesn't happen until their 2nd or 3rd winter. It's perfectly normal.
This article may help explain it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...-to-get-the-most-from-your-laying-hens.72275/

As far as the single chicken that sits all day... she could just be broody. That means her instincts are just telling her to sit on the nest all day and night for 21 days to hatch eggs... real or imaginary. Not all chickens go through this and there are ways to stop her:
When A Hen’s Mood To Hatch Should Be Interrupted

Or it could be something more serious. I don't think it could be egg binding if she's eating and drinking regularly, but you could read about it here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/
A warm epsom salt soak never hurts.

Or if you believe it's more serious than being broody, watch her symptoms closely and post a new thread here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures.10/

I hope everything works out well for you and your hens.

 

[aart]

She may be molting....I've seen them become rather lethargic during the molt.
How long has this been going on?

When I have a bird that's acting'off'.... I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so you can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their 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.