It is likely a result of being broody so long. You could call it an early molt but it is a severe degrading of body condition. You are lucky she is still alive.
A friend of mine never broke broodiness in her birds. She had a turkey hen that sat for months till the hen really had trouble moving. After $3,000 of vet bills (with her 60% discount as a former employee), and 3 weeks of physical therapy, including swimming, the turkey hen died. I buried it for her.
Sometimes they break broodiness on their own, sometimes the inadequate antics of owners, miraculously end the broodiness and sometimes they never stop.
They want to raise a family and in nature, they would do so. But with backyard flocks, if we aren't going to give them fertile eggs or chicks, it is our responsibility to end the hormone cycle for the birds' own good.
You may consider placing a hen in broody jail, something that has been done for the benefit of the bird for centuries, to be a risk for losing her trust, it is the fastest tried and true method of saving the bird.
IMHO, anthropomorphising chickens isn't good animal husbandry. As ,much as we may love them
It is likely a result of being broody so long. You could call it an early molt but it is a severe degrading of body condition. You are lucky she is still alive.
A friend of mine never broke broodiness in her birds. She had a turkey hen that sat for months till the hen really had trouble moving. After $3,000 of vet bills (with her 60% discount as a former employee), and 3 weeks of physical therapy, including swimming, the turkey hen died. I buried it for her.
Sometimes they break broodiness on their own, sometimes the inadequate antics of owners, miraculously end the broodiness and sometimes they never stop.
They want to raise a family and in nature, they would do so. But with backyard flocks, if we aren't going to give them fertile eggs or chicks, it is our responsibility to end the hormone cycle for the birds' own good.
You may consider placing a hen in broody jail, something that has been done for the benefit of the bird for centuries, to be a risk for losing her trust, it is the fastest tried and true method of saving the bird.
IMHO, anthropomorphising chickens isn't good animal husbandry. As ,much as we may love them, they are still livestock that we have accepted the responsibility to care for to the best of our ability.
yes next
, they are still livestock that we have accepted the responsibility to care for to the best of our ability
