chicken not eating as much

[Chickenslol]

So I had some issues with my chicken, she’s a black austrolorp that’s about 10-11 months old, and she was lethargic and not eating. I got her to eat and poop and she perked up. I’ve completely ruled out any crop issues. My current worries is that while her crop is emptying and she’s eating, it’s still very small. she’s always been kinda on the smaller size but now i just cannot put my finger on the problem. she’s eating, but not a lot, she’s active, but not as much as her sisters, she’s pooping and i haven’t noticed any significant issues with poop. I just cannot put my finger on it but i have two theories
1. worms, maybe her poop is weird and it’s slipped through the cracks. I’m planning on deworming her anyways and the entire flock soon
2. pecking order, maybe she’s being restricted from eating? she’s always the last one out of the coop, maybe that’s the issue
i’m not sure let me know what you think

 

[azygous]

Both are reasonable assumptions. It's easy and safe to worm, so get that done and see how that affects things.

The second, a bullying issue is very possible. Some chickens are very timid by nature and easily intimidated. This makes them even more withdrawn, and that makes them even more of a bullying target. And you're correct that it can be as subtle as being intimidated away from the feeder.

If you're interested in exploring this issue further, here is my write-up of what I've observed on this topic and a way to give a timid hen her self confidence back. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

 

[Chickenslol]

Both are reasonable assumptions. It's easy and safe to worm, so get that done and see how that affects things.

The second, a bullying issue is very possible. Some chickens are very timid by nature and easily intimidated. This makes them even more withdrawn, and that makes them even more of a bullying target. And you're correct that it can be as subtle as being intimidated away from the feeder.

If you're interested in exploring this issue further, here is my write-up of what I've observed on this topic and a way to give a timid hen her self confidence back. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chicken-bully-chicken-victim-a-two-sided-issue.73923/

thanks! i’m de-worming today, and thinking of separating her for just a bit to see what happens. I should also mention i’m seeing some serious comb shrinking from her, might be because of the winter but her laying schedule is fine, could that be an indication of anything?

 

[azygous]

Comb shrinkage is almost always a function of hormone levels. Light affects hormone levels, but so do underlying health issues. There isn't anything you can do about either until more precise symptoms present themselves.