Do some chickens become lethargic before laying their first egg?

[Ltilden]

Hi all, I’ve been noticing some abnormal behavior from my bantam Cochin pullet over the last 24 hours. She normally is a lover of treats, sunflower seeds being her favorite, but she hasn’t been interested in them yesterday or today. She is still roaming around picking little pieces of grass here and there but normally she gorges herself on seeds but the appetite doesn’t seem to be there. She is also seeming more lethargic, pausing frequently while the flock forages to sit and close her eyes. She is just a week shy of 9 months so we are expecting her to start laying anytime now. Has anyone experienced these symptoms in a pullet getting ready to lay or should I be concerned she may truly be sick. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[azygous]

It's more likely she has a health issue. Two things to check.

One is her pelvic points. Locate the two bony knobs on each side of her vent and try to fit two finger between them. If you can't because the knobs are too close, then she's not ready to lay yet.

The other thing to check is her crop. Feel for fullness and texture. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/ Crop disorders can make a chicken feel ill and lethargic. Read the article and see if anything fits your chicken's condition.

 

[Ltilden]

Thank you for the advice! I do believe it’s an impacted crop after reading that article. It’s hard to tell because she is so small I had trouble finding what was the crop, but after feeling her sisters I could tell Ducky’s was much harder and larger. We are trying the coconut oil and massage right now. She ate the first half teaspoon of oil willingly but won’t touch the rest. It does feel like it’s getting softer and possibly emptying but there is definitely still stuff I can feel in there. Hopeful long for the best since she is such a sweet little girl

 

[azygous]

Repeat the coconut oil if the crop doesn't empty. Continue the massage and try to direct it to the crop drain a third of the way up from the bottom of the crop. You may need to repeat the oil and massage three or four times to get it to empty.

 

[aart]

When I have a bird acting 'off' I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[Ltilden]

So she seems more alert last night and this morning, but when I woke up I felt her crop and it still feels kind of “doughy” not very full or hard but there is definitely still stuff in there and I can feel what seems like her crumbles in there as well. I’m struggling to get her to “eat” the oil, she did willing at first but apparently didn’t love the taste. Should I just continue with the oil and massaging? She seems hungry this morning but I’m hesitant about what I should allow her to eat if anything? Any advice on allowing her to eat or not, and what would be best while she is still clearing the crop? Thanks again for all your help!

 

[aart]

So she seems more alert last night and this morning, but when I woke up I felt her crop and it still feels kind of “doughy” not very full or hard but there is definitely still stuff in there and I can feel what seems like her crumbles in there as well. I’m struggling to get her to “eat” the oil, she did willing at first but apparently didn’t love the taste. Should I just continue with the oil and massaging? She seems hungry this morning but I’m hesitant about what I should allow her to eat if anything? Any advice on allowing her to eat or not, and what would be best while she is still clearing the crop? Thanks again for all your help!

Is she drinking well?
Did she poop overnight?
I would give her crumbles and water....in the crate(mentioned above) so you can monitor her intake and output.

 

[Ltilden]

Is she drinking well?
Did she poop overnight?
I would give her crumbles and water....in the crate(mentioned above) so you can monitor her intake and output.

She has been drinking water and had one pretty healthy poop over night. I had her in a small dog crate inside our house last night to monitor her, but I have to go to work today so I’m thinking of moving her out to the coop in the crate while I’m gone. I have two cats that I think will torment her throughout the day if I’mnot home to keep an eye on them! I will try the water/crumble comboand see how she does with that before I leave for work

 

[aart]

I’m thinking of moving her out to the coop in the crate while I’m gone.

Good idea!
Hopefully you can secure water and feed without it spilling all over.