chicken may or may not be sick am I overreacting ???

[Bellapollo]

hi everyone my name is Bella, im new to this website! I actually need some help/advice nd I was hoping one of you could accomodate me.

I have a chicken who is either just over or under a year old. about 5 months ago she become very broody so as a backyard experiment I put 6 eggs under her, none hatched within 21 days I bought 6 chicks because she wouldn't stop sitting. she stopped laying eggs just before I gave her the chicks. she didn't mother them immediately and then one egg hatched 2 weeks late and she started to mother it and still ignored the other chicks. one night we had a storm she accidentally killed the chick that she hatched in a haste to protect the others. (this is a bit of a backing story but maybe she's depressed???). skip forward 4 months. I have 5 very healthy chicks 1 is suspected a male, super cute . however ever since mothering so 4 month she has not laid an egg, her comb and bottle changed to a very light colour and got smaller, she's lost weight and ALL of her tail feathers have fallen out. she's still young, they've all been wormed my dads a vet and he's checked her and thinks she's fine but is there something im missing. the others are very healthy.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. It sounds from your description as if she brooded for an excessive period of time. That is quite debilitating to a hen. It is normal for a hen to lose weight and condition while brooding and caring for chicks. I agree with your Dad.

 

[Bellapollo]

ok but will she start to lay again? I know my chickens and have had heaps for years but ive never hatched babies or had this situation and the internet isn't giving me my answers !! sorry
thank you for your help. also why does it say hatching under my name and broody magician under yours is it the age of the accounts ?

 

[aart]

also why does it say hatching under my name and broody magician under yours is it the age of the accounts ?

Yes...and a premium membership allows for custom labels.

Also agree with your dad.
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Is she still mothering the remaining chicks?

Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Bellapollo
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Bella and welcome to BYC We're so glad you decided to join us

I agree with the others @aart's questions can maybe give us info to speed up her recovery.

 

[Bellapollo]

hi @aart ! im from Sydney, weather is very consistent. Dorris (the mother maybe hen) and mavis are my eldest two, mavis hasn't mothered or been broody and has layed consistently for about 4 months just about every day. the chicks im keeping only 2 have passed theres 5 alive and they are 3 months. she's not so much mothering anymore they do their own thing and she isn't aggressive anymore but she still isn't laying. its been around 3 and a half months.

 

[Bellapollo]

hey @rjohns39 lovely to meet you ,
I forgot to mention her feed @aart,
they get scratch mix, and layer feed and lots of fresh veggies, we are on land so they are let out everyday for a while to eat bugs and grass

 

[rjohns39]

@aart so she's in late fall and tail feathers falling out. I'll defer to you.

@Ribh @Aussie-Chookmum Pop over and say hi when you have a sec.

 

[Ribh]

Hi Bellapollo. Welcome to BYC. I grew up on the south side of Sydney, opposite the Royal National Park so have some idea of your weather conditions.

Is there any chance your non~layer is molting? My BRs were constantly going broody this summer ~ I'm blaming the excessive heat. They went straight from being broody to their autumn molt. Though eggs are spasmodic they are still laying. My molting Australorp isn't laying @ all. Stuff like the Breeding Aid can be mixed in their feed to help while they grow out their new feathers. Your dad will probably have some idea of the best thing to use if that's the case. She should come back on the lay in Spring as the days get longer again.

 

[aart]

@aart so she's in late fall and tail feathers falling out. I'll defer to you.

You know as well as I that means molt
I suspected as much, why I asked for location.