Depression, Broodiness, or Disease?

[Phantom_k9]

Hello!
A friend of ours has recently given us 4 silkies that they couldn't keep due to HOA regulations. They are all hens, and we have had them in quarantine in our garage for about 3 weeks now. We were planning on moving them out into the coop soon, but that of course is easier said than done. However, recently one of the hens has started to not act right. She just sits down all day.
She isn't sitting on any eggs, and when given an egg in front of her she doesn't push it under herself. We think this is most likely depressed, but we don't know for sure / what to do about it.
When we pick her up and place her outside or in the coop, she gets up and does normal chicken things; starting off with the biggest poop you've ever seen. Once we put her back in the garage, she goes back to being a slouch.
Believe me, we are not wanting to torment these birds, but we didn't want to risk infecting our flock. At the same time we really underestimated how difficult it would be to move them into the coop.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Definitely not broody. Is the garage dark? Do they get fresh air? Are any other chickens acting abnormally? How's her poop? Is she eating and drinking OK? There's no judging here. This information will be used to help you and your chicken(s).

 

[Phantom_k9]

Definitely not broody. Is the garage dark? Do they get fresh air? Are any other chickens acting abnormally? How's her poop? Is she eating and drinking OK? There's no judging here. This information will be used to help you and your chicken(s).

The garage is dark, but we try to keep lights on during the day to keep it from getting toooo dark. They get fresh air semi often, I would assume she is eating and drinking when well since we make sure to provide them with plenty of clean food and water (but I haven't seen her really get up to eat or drink), the only other chicken acting odd is another broody silkie who has hatched but won't get off her other eggs (lol), and she only poops once we take her out of the coop (at least so I think) and it tends to be a really big dump. No blood, not watery, nothing unusual about her poops...

 

[Phantom_k9]

Once again, we got these birds on pretty short notice. We had no clue how to properly quarantine them, and I will admit that we have probably been underprepared.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Once again, we got these birds on pretty short notice. We had no clue how to properly quarantine them, and I will admit that we have probably been underprepared.

It's ok. Good job taking them in and not just throwing them with your other chickens. Give me a couple minutes to think and I'll respond in a bit.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

The garage is dark, but we try to keep lights on during the day to keep it from getting toooo dark. They get fresh air semi often, I would assume she is eating and drinking when well since we make sure to provide them with plenty of clean food and water (but I haven't seen her really get up to eat or drink), the only other chicken acting odd is another broody silkie who has hatched but won't get off her other eggs (lol), and she only poops once we take her out of the coop (at least so I think) and it tends to be a really big dump. No blood, not watery, nothing unusual about her poops...

So she poops one big poop once a day that you've noted... maybe she's congested of some sorts? Is there any way you can make her (the other hens too, if possible) a place outside on the dirt or grass so they can get more air and maybe it'll help her poop more and feel better. Because if I got a nickel for every time I saw my chickens poop every day, I'd be RICH. So yeah, try to get her some more time outside.

 

[Phantom_k9]

So she poops one big poop once a day that you've noted... maybe she's congested of some sorts? Is there any way you can make her (the other hens too, if possible) a place outside on the dirt or grass so they can get more air and maybe it'll help her poop more and feel better. Because if I got a nickel for every time I saw my chickens poop every day, I'd be RICH. So yeah, try to get her some more time outside.

Well, we are about to move their coop into a more "outdoors" section of our main coop, so that should fix that. Really hoping thats all this is...

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Well, we are about to move their coop into a more "outdoors" section of our main coop, so that should fix that. Really hoping thats all this is...

Me too. I'll tag some people to see if they can help though.
@azygous @Meg-in-MT @Eggcessive

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Does she growl or fluff up if you reach at her or under her when she's laying down?

Have you checked her crop to see if it's full at night and empty in the morning?

Has she layed any eggs since she's been with you?

Chickens aren't real great with change, so it may just be that she's trying to adjust. The fact that she's laying down, pooping once a day, acting normal outside - she does sound broody. How old are they? Can you post a picture of her?

 

[azygous]

One thing most people totally forget about when keeping chickens confined indoors is grit. Lack of grit will depress digestive functions, and a chicken that is experiencing slowed crop and gizzard function will appear depressed. Depression in chickens usually has physical causes.

Lack of natural sunlight can affect the ability to absorb calcium, resulting in reproductive issues. That can definitely depress a chicken.

If your flock is standard breeds, your new Silkies may have an integration problem due to their size and being strangers. They will need protection when you introduce them to the flock. It could take several weeks for them to integrate. The best solution is to provide them with a safe enclosure within the run so they can integrate safely.