Depressed Chicken

[chiclet]

hmm, jjthink, i'll consider separating her. and try the rescue remedy thing.
Again, today, she is the only one still on the roost. Then again, it's cold and rainy out, where the rest of the hens are hanging. Maybe she's the smart one.

 

[ThaiChick]

I know I'm a little behind on this post. My father was very ill and pasted Christmas day, so now I'm playing catch up on this forum. I do you have an update on my hen. First off is she is the only Amerucana in my flock of 12 birds. And yes I agree that chickens are cliquey if not down right racist. My three SLW are the most stuck up group of old bittys on the planet. Anyway, I did make a seperate run for her and got her out every day. She always ate well, but would not lay or come out of the house. I gave her special treatment for about two weeks, then she started to come out on her own a couple off times a week. Then she started laying again! I was thrilled. During this time I observed a couple of things. She was one of four mature hens that I had. The other 3 were my SLW. They would not let the rooster near them with a ten foot pole. So Hank, the rooster, paid all his attention on Hannah. Maybe it was more than the girl could take. As my Maran hens matured and started laying, Hank started to share the love so to speak. He even whipped a couple of the SLW I into shape. So things are looking up.

 

[claytonchick]

I know this forum was rather old, but glad I found it. My Americauna is not leaving the coop, and sits by herself depressed. Her buddy died about a month ago, and she's been hiding in corners ever since. Reading these, I better get another Americauna. All the others are pairs for the most part, leghorns, barred rocks. figured she'd just blend. Not so much. They usually sell them in pairs at the auction though, if I get two more, is she still going to be a third wheel? or do I specifically need one? Hate to add to the problem and bring home two that ignore her.

 

[azygous]

Was her friend who died raised with her as a brooder mate? That's the most likely reason they were bonded.

Introducing a new adult Ameraucana to her probably won't result in companionship, but rivalry. Your best bet is to get two or three chicks, of any breed, and since they'll be lowest in the pecking order as they mature, she may find more companionship with them. But not right away.

At least, that's how things have turned out for my younger Brahma, whose BFF was killed last winter by a hawk. She's right now playing with a Gator-aid scratch grain bottle with the four youngest hens, one-year old Speckled Sussex.

Give her time. She'll mope and mourn, and then one day, she'll be back to normal again.

 

[claytonchick]

I bought her and the other one together, so not sure on their background, they were full size when I purchased them. They were inseparable though. Guessing they grew up together.
She's starting to interact with the hens when they come into the coop now. Still won't leave. I did get some young'uns yesterday, for my son's 4h project, so we'll see if this snaps her back. If nothing else, she's getting nicer from me treating her all the time. (and fat)
Thanks!

 

[chihmomma]

i also have a hen that seems depressed. she seems to be a guess the runt of the batch. i have her a 2 of her sisters. she will try to get in the coop if she does not make it in she will stay right where she landed and fluff her feathers out and bury her head in them. her sisters play with each other ( i think they are playing, they never peck on each other ). she will not run around with the the other. i thought maybe she needed some vitamins but that has not made a difference. they do not pick on her and i have watched to see if that is what was wrong. since she is smaller the really cold nights i have brought her in the house and put her in the bathroom, the place i put her down at is the same place i find her the next morning she never moves a inch. i really would like some help to understand what is wrong with her. she is not ill

 

[chicka pucella]

What is rescue remedy? I have a rooster that is depressed. We have lost 28 chickens to a weasel, that I am having trouble catching. This was about 2 weeks ago, but he is still depressed. He doesn't stay with the females. He only stands when he needs too, doesn't even crow any,ore.. I'm afraid he's going to die. Last night I fou d him in a dog house He didn't eve go to the coop with the other females I had to drag him out and took him inside the house. I rocked him in the rocking chair and he fell asleep. So I just put him in a dog crate for the night.

 

[jjthink]

Rescue Remedy is a Bach Flower Remedy that is touted as helping with stress. If you google it, you'll find lots of info. Safe for chickens. Put a few drops in his water - try finding the pet version as its more palatable, but either is okay. Definitely need to find ways to cheer up this poor dear roo. Treats, new friends...spend as much time with him as you possibly can. 28 chicken lost is a monumental horrible loss and ginormous reason for depression for this roo

. But also if you can get him checked out medically, there may be something that needs tending to. What are you feeding him? I would consider adding Avia Charge 2000 or other similar supplement to his (everyone's) water for an extra nutritional boost. I'm sorry and sad that he's so down

JJ

 

[wesleyd]

I just found this post, growing up on a farm i seen a lot of things chickens turkeys and guineas do. but after being a city boy for a while i bought some chicks for Easter 2 yrs ago. 5 to be exact. 2 reds an americana ( my first of this breed) and 2 plymouths. one red was so gentle she was stolen when she found a way out of the yard then a dog attacked killing the other red and the americana. 3 months later I ended up with three malnurished stray pullets wild very wild. ( I think they are a fighting hen breed) it was near impossible for them to get along with my remaining originals. then the next easter I ended up with 3 more chicksa red a leghorn and another americana. its been rough but they were fairly getting along only one that would lay on a near daily basis was my zebra striped plymouth. she was killed by a coon a month ago in the middle of the night. my other plymouth has been depressed quit laying altogather which she on;ly laid 1 or 2 eggs a month. she doesn't come around me anymore or let me pick her up she rarly talks to me cause she was a talker. today i had to isolate her because she is acting drunk even though she could jump and fly still never saw that before in a chicken. I looked it up on google seams to be a virus called Chicken Anemia Virus and Depression. i havent talked to anyone about it yet as it is still early but i plan to ask a vet or feed store about treatment. meanwhile she is isolated
and i found some antibiotic i bought when we first got her and her siblings. she is drinking it in her water so thats a good sign right?

 

[chicka pucella]

I do know that chickens pprefer their ownkind. Plymouth with Plymouth, delaware with delaware ect. She maybe lonely for her own tyoe. Something that is familiar. Your girls seem agitated. There isn't anything living I their coop?y flock had been acting nervous for a few weeks. Ifigured it was due to cold weather. Then one night I find a plump possum eating some eggs! I would check for any critters. Then maybe geting a few more girls. That is as long as she isn't contagious with anything. If your allows a male, you might want to consider getting one ti keep order in your flock. Males are good for keeping the peace and it sounds like you have some strong willed girls.