This really has my attention. The "unrecognizable to her flock mates" yes, and the unseasonable molt for sure. In thinking back when this all started and remember seeing a change in Buffy's behavior (one of a molting hen) and the fact that she stopped laying eggs (again, sign of a molt). Then, the feather loss and the feather dandruff. She wasn't sick, just starting a very different molt possibly. Don't know, but anything is possible. When the attacks with Cadbury started I think it is very possible this once strong hen (Buffy) was very different and poor Cad was confused with this imposter. Andi dies, same day Cadbury resumes egg laying, day after that all four hens are outdoors together (with me) and not one attack. Today, day #2 and same thing, not one attack. Buffy still shows signs of being very cautious but at least she doesn't run away completely. She has started dusting again and she looks and acts more like herself. Still a little skidish but I think what I'm seeing from my other EE Sage is some pecking order coming into play. Most likely due to the isolation and reintroducing her back to the flock.
Silly or not? Could Cadbury mistake Buffy for Andi? Crazy or not, the sudden change in the behavior has us miffed. Happy, but wondering what the heck?
I want to continue with these good days and work on getting Buffy back in the coop at night. Suggestions for doing this please as I don't want to ruin a good thing. Buffy does not go near the run and coop as she has found a new home in the duck run which neighbors the run with the 7 newbies. We are currently in the 10 day acclimating phase with them. She did not follow the other girls into the coop at dusk tonight rather she waited for me to come find her and she trots to her dog crate in the garage as always. I'm all for being patient with her and giving her time to get comfortable with them again before placing her in the coop at night. I have hope after these last two days
I am so glad to hear that Buffy is getting better! I think she may have been laying internally, starting to get bacterial infection but it was mitigated by the antibiotics. She was able to re-absorb the egg and is feeling better inside. This IT or EYP may be genetic, you may not want to breed Buffy. I don't think Cadbury is mistaking anyone for another. They know each other by face and voice. Buffy was sick, Cad knew it and maybe they just don't like each other. Since the molt is a fairly gradual one, I don't think it really plays into the issue with Cad. Buffy may have not wanted to have a lot of body contact while not feeling well and molting. The molting at least partially explains the stop in egg laying. She may recover fully like my EE and lay again when her molt is finished and her health returns to normal.
If you did not give the antibiotics to the other birds, Andi probably had IT or EYP and a secondary bacterial infection that wiped her out. Cad may be more appreciative of Buffy's presence now bc Andi is gone. (safety in numbers and Cad knows there is one less in the flock, chickens can count and they understand death). Buffy may be preferring to be in the new flock bc she and Cad cannot get along. (hence hanging with the ducks to be near the new birds). It's good that Buffy is bathing again, trying to clean up the dead skin and feather sheathes. I think you have indeed rescued her! Let Buffy choose which flock and where to sleep for now. Once the garage is empty of birds, she will not want to be in there alone and will choose to roost with the most welcoming, accepting flock.
