Chicken sitting a lot and tail feathers down

[Itsmekt55]

Hello,

I have an Australorp hen, Betty Anne, who is almost 4 years old. She has mostly stopped laying eggs and we believe we have only gotten one or two eggs from her over the past 5ish months. We do keep light in our coop in the winter months so we have decided she has retired from laying at this point.

Two days ago Betty started acting “off” by sitting excessively out in the run and pointing her tail feathers down. She seems to walk fine with No visible injury and is eating and drinking normally. She will eat standing but then seems to plop down to eat sitting after a short while. It is not normal behavior for her.

The only things I have found online suggest a leg injury or being egg bound. I don’t believe she has either issue.

anyone know what this might be? Could it just be age? She is very large and I’m wondering (hoping) that it is really just a sign of an aging chicken. I have only been keeping a backyard flock for almost 4 years now so she is from my original group. Even though she doesn’t lay she has avoided a cull because she is so friendly and has become more of a pet than a producer.

Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Eggcessive]

It is impossible to know for sure without a vet, but a reproductive disorder or infection might be a possibility. Salpingitis, internal laying, cancer, ascites, and egg yolk peritonitis are some of the common reproductive problems. If you can get an antibiotic, such as Fish Mox amoxicillin at your feed store, TSC, or online, I would get some and start it.

 

[Itsmekt55]

It is impossible to know for sure without a vet, but a reproductive disorder or infection might be a possibility. Salpingitis, internal laying, cancer, ascites, and egg yolk peritonitis are some of the common reproductive problems. If you can get an antibiotic, such as Fish Mox amoxicillin at your feed store, TSC, or online, I would get some and start it.

Thank you for your advice!