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Chicken seems depressed, or is she ill?

Henfla

Songster
Apr 29, 2022
179
542
151
Tromsø, Norway
I have six pullets; five mix breeds and one cochin bantam. They have been together since they were 2 days old. 2 weeks ago, the cochin bantam went broody, so I gave her two lukewarm baths on her stomach (she dried up inside before I put her out with the rest) and I also took her out of the nest and removed the eggs. After one day, she was acting normal and was not broody anymore. After she was broody, she has stopped laying.
The last week or so, I've noticed that she acts strangely. She often just stands for herself and when the others free range, she often either stays in the chicken run or she goes around by herself far from the others. Sometimes when she feels she gets lost (for example she goes up on the terrace by herself), she starts screaming, so I have to pick her up and carry her over to the others. Her feathers are okay, and her comb and wattles has a normal pink/ red colour, so she doesn't seem ill to me. The only problem I can find is that she has scaly legs, but I have been treating it (and I also have treated all the others even though she is the only one with visible scaly legs) and I think that the mites are dead and that it just take some time to go back to normal.
The last days I have had her inside for a while every day and she seems very content when she is sitting on my lap inside and it seems like she wants to be inside with us instead of with the others, so can it be that she is depressed and not ill? And what can I do with depression?

Also the other chickens treat her okay. I have one pullet that can be somewhat aggressive towards her sometimes (especially if I have her on my lap the other pullet can get jealous and tries to peck her) but usually they go together just fine.

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I would keep her out with the others if possible, so that she doesn’t lose her place in the flock pecking order. She may be low now since she has been broody. She may have some hormonal changes since being broody. Is she close to molting or has she done that recently this year? Usually, my broodies would start laying again in 2-3 weeks, but since the daylight hours are less this time of year, she might take a break. I would offer some healthy treats, such as a little scrambled egg or tuna, but make sure that she is eating her chicken feed.
 
I have six pullets; five mix breeds and one cochin bantam. They have been together since they were 2 days old. 2 weeks ago, the cochin bantam went broody, so I gave her two lukewarm baths on her stomach (she dried up inside before I put her out with the rest) and I also took her out of the nest and removed the eggs. After one day, she was acting normal and was not broody anymore. After she was broody, she has stopped laying.
The last week or so, I've noticed that she acts strangely. She often just stands for herself and when the others free range, she often either stays in the chicken run or she goes around by herself far from the others. Sometimes when she feels she gets lost (for example she goes up on the terrace by herself), she starts screaming, so I have to pick her up and carry her over to the others. Her feathers are okay, and her comb and wattles has a normal pink/ red colour, so she doesn't seem ill to me. The only problem I can find is that she has scaly legs, but I have been treating it (and I also have treated all the others even though she is the only one with visible scaly legs) and I think that the mites are dead and that it just take some time to go back to normal.
The last days I have had her inside for a while every day and she seems very content when she is sitting on my lap inside and it seems like she wants to be inside with us instead of with the others, so can it be that she is depressed and not ill? And what can I do with depression?

Also the other chickens treat her okay. I have one pullet that can be somewhat aggressive towards her sometimes (especially if I have her on my lap the other pullet can get jealous and tries to peck her) but usually they go together just fine.

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What a pretty gal! I am going through the same thing! Mine is a little sarama. She behaves the same- isolating herself and droopy tail. She used to be such a spitfire, now she is all the way down the pecking order 😥 and the others are picking on her. I wish I never put her in broody jail. I don't know what to do- tell me if you find a solution.
 

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What a pretty gal! I am going through the same thing! Mine is a little sarama. She behaves the same- isolating herself and droopy tail. She used to be such a spitfire, now she is all the way down the pecking order 😥 and the others are picking on her. I wish I never put her in broody jail. I don't know what to do- tell me if you find a solution.
I had her inside for an hour or so every day and gave her lots of cuddles, and she bloomed when being inside with us, and after a few weeks she returned to normal.
 
I had her inside for an hour or so every day and gave her lots of cuddles, and she bloomed when being inside with us, and after a few weeks she returned to normal.
I am grateful for your reply! I did exactly that- and she does seem better today!
 

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