Detached, lonely hen

[jmanning72]

Hi, I have 6 chickens that I just recently started letting free roam in our yard. Out of the 6 only 3 come out every day on their own. I have been taking the other 3 out and putting them in the yard. 2 of those seem to do alright but there is 1 hen that seems lonely. She will wander off away from the rest of the flock and the one rooster I have will constantly run and grab her on the back of the neck and sit on her. After I shoo the rooster away, the hen will just sit there looking sad. She is also not as active as the others, she will distance herself from them and just lay down. She also doesn't go back into the coop at night like the others, I've had to go searching for her after dark. Is there anything to be worried about with this hen? Thanks

 

[heartsizedfarm]

How does she appear otherwise? Is she eating and drinking normally? Is her comb a nice bright pink or pale? Are her feathers glossy or dull? Does her poop look like that of the other hens? Is she missing feathers from attacks by the other hens? Check her vent and under her wings. Does she have lice?

If she is otherwise healthy then I wouldn't worry too much about her sadness. She may just take a little longer to get used to the great outdoors and she might well perk up with a bit more greens and bugs in her diet.

 

[Peeps61]

I have a hen that will sometimes roost in the front yard under our Azalia bushes. She will greet me at the back door in the morning, and then join the rest of the flock for the day. She will lay her egg in the coop as well. I think she sometimes needs a few days break from the coop - she usually rejoins them at night after these little breaks. I think she also may do it to get away from the rooster, although she's not one of his favorites. They have their own natures, that is for certain.