Crested Polish squatting and a filthy mess...but too young to lay?

[LisaMarie81]

Went to tend to my birds tonight and my White Crested Polish no longer has a white head. She is a filthy, dirty, muddy mess and she's acting "off". (I know that's vague). She's just walking around quietly and slowly...which is not like her at all. When I picked her up she was very vocal…..more so than normal, and when I pet her she squats and will stay there. I have read this can be a sign of egg laying or getting ready to, but she's only 13 weeks old. Isn't that way to young?
Thing is, It did rain a little today, and the birds are protected, but I don't know if she's a filthy mess from rolling in a muddy dust bath, or even just with that crest if she just got it dipped in dirt all day pecking. I also worried the others are picking on her and she got pushed around into the mud. She just seems "off".
I checked her over and physically she looks ok (she stinks and is a hot mess), but looks ok, no signs of bugs, mites, lice, anything. No signs of anyone physically picking on her. No wounds, or blood. I did put out a covered area just for her (bantam size) in case the others are picking on her she can hide.
But 13 weeks to lay eggs is definitely way too young isn't it? so why is she squatting. (she never has before)

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Polish are odd birds. They should never be kept as a single bird in a mixed flock. They will be bullied and pecked. The two reactions a polish will give to a stressor is to run hysterically squawking, or to squat down and submit and even play dead. Other birds will often peck them viciously. Too many pecking to the head can cause brain injuries.

My guess is she's scared, and can't see what's coming. You could try giving he a trim so she can see better, and I would observe you flock to see if she is getting harassed and pecked.

 

[LisaMarie81]

Thanks for the info. I do have other bantams so she's not the only little one. Maybe I will try to trim her to see if that helps. I also provided the hiding spot for them so we'll see. Thank you though.
Question - if they are pecking at her head.....will I be able to see? like marks, wounds, etc?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks for the info. I do have other bantams so she's not the only little one. Maybe I will try to trim her to see if that helps. I also provided the hiding spot for them so we'll see. Thank you though.
Question - if they are pecking at her head.....will I be able to see? like marks, wounds, etc?

You probably won't see any signs of an occasional peck, generally multiple pecks will draw blood. Does yours have a domed skull? Or is it normal? Expect her to be an odd one. I have yet to have a polish that isn't a bit different, that's part of their appeal.

 

[LisaMarie81]

Not sure about the domed skull. Will try to google that, but not sure what that is.
She looks much better this morning. Her crown is all dry now and looks clean. Maybe she just took a dive in some really wet dirt yesterday and wasn't expecting to have dried mud all over her.
I will keep a close eye on her and my other bantams. I've heard the littles can get picked on. We've provided lots of space for them to get around one another and now a hiding space for the bantams. Worse case scenario I can divide the run and have the bantams on their own during the day.