help appreciated

[KentuckyJanet]

I have a hen who tends to be a loner and will sleep by herself on a nesting box instead of on the roost with the others. She has done this for many months. All of my hens are 8 or 9 months. I don't see her getting picked on by the others but she must be on the bottom of the pecking order or just very independent. Normally her sleeping on the nexting box isn't a problem until yesterday. Because of the extreme cold the poop was all frozen to her bottom. I took her home and cleaned her up with warm water and had read it would be helpful to trim her feathers back there to help prevent the problem. Well either she or her sisters plucked all the feathers out on her rear end. She is completely exposed. I worry about the cold. I brought some coconut oil out to the coop with me to put on her this morning but it was already frozen by the time I got out there and was useless. I intend to try antibotic cream or olive oil or bagbalm next. Any suggestions. I also noticed her sitting on the ground doing a slight rocking motion yesterday. Thoughts? I don't know if she has a bigger issue going on or not. I fixed it so that she can no longer sleep on the nexting box. Id appreciate any help. This is my first year raising hens. I have 11 of them. Thanks!!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Janet and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us
@Wyorp Rock can you offer some thoughts?

 

[SueT]

Welcome to BYC! Is this hen the lowest in the pecking order? Can you make another roost? Or put dividers on yours?
Here's a thread about roost dividers....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/removed-a-hen-from-the-coop.1210731/
How cold is it there/where do you live?

 

[Mama Runner]

welcome I'm not a chicken mom. But do you have a place inside where you could keep her for a few days? Maybe till we warm up a bit? Or at least at night. I think we are supposed to break this bitter cold Sunday for a few days. I think anything you put on her might freeze in this weather

 

[KentuckyJanet]

Welcome to BYC! Is this hen the lowest in the pecking order? Can you make another roost? Or put dividers on yours?
Here's a thread about roost dividers....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/removed-a-hen-from-the-coop.1210731/
How cold is it there/where do you live?

It has been in the single digits at night. I have plenty of roosts but she has always chosen to do her own thing. I actually just added a roost above her favorite nesting box. I thought that would be her new favorite spot but instead last night she slept with her sisters on a roost. Which was good. I would definetely say she is probably at the bottom of the pecking order or very close to it. If I can figure out how to send a picture of her poor little bottom, i will. I am pretty technology challenged.

 

[KentuckyJanet]

Welcome to BYC! Is this hen the lowest in the pecking order? Can you make another roost? Or put dividers on yours?
Here's a thread about roost dividers....
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/removed-a-hen-from-the-coop.1210731/
How cold is it there/where do you live?

It has been in the single digits at night. I have plenty of roosts but she has always chosen to do her own thing. I actually just added a roost above her favorite nesting box. I thought that would be her new favorite spot but instead last night she slept with her sisters on a roost. Which was good. I would definetely say she is probably at the bottom of the pecking order or very close to it. If I can figure out how to send a picture of her poor little bottom, i will. I am pretty technology challenged.

 

[KentuckyJanet]

Not a very flattering picture of little ms. Puddles that’s for sure! I’d really appreciate any advice. I could take her in if necessary but from some other posts I read I was worried about how they would accept her back .and if she got used to the heat would it be a hard adjustment when she got back.
I really can’t say they are picking on her though because I never see them doing it. She seems to be accepted.

 

[Kusanar]

For the frozen coconut oil / ointment of choice, can you get one of those "hot hands" things and put it in a pocket with the ointment until you get there? It will keep it warm and even help keep you warm. If you can't get some of those things, a sock with some rice or dried beans in it, pop it in the microwave for a minute or 2 and it will be hot and steamy to put in a pocket.

 

[KentuckyJanet]

For the frozen coconut oil / ointment of choice, can you get one of those "hot hands" things and put it in a pocket with the ointment until you get there? It will keep it warm and even help keep you warm. If you can't get some of those things, a sock with some rice or dried beans in it, pop it in the microwave for a minute or 2 and it will be hot and steamy to put in a pocket.

I did just put some antibotic cream on her. Hopefully that was the right thing. I may try to pick up some bag balm today. Thanks for the ideas!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It looks like she is being picked on a bit - coconut oil or triple antibiotic ointment won't hurt, but you may also want to apply some Blu Kote to help hide the "exposed" skin.
(you can put on the oil/ointment then Blu Kote if you like)
When you gave her a bath, did you see any signs of lice/mites?
How did her abdomen feel - any tightness/bloat or feeling of fluid?
Are her poops normal?
Is she actively laying eggs?

More than likely she is at the bottom of the pecking order since she isolates herself some, but it won't hurt to keep an eye on her for other signs of illness (lethargy, going off food/water, etc.). She may get some new growth in, but sometimes the pickers will pluck those right out when they see them- a lot depends on whether or not the feather shaft is still intact in the skin - if that's the case, then she won't regrow the fluff until she goes through her adult molt at around 16-18months of age.
If your coop has good wind protection with ventilation, then she will most likely be fine in cold weather. See that she is getting to eat/drink, sometimes lower girls are kept from food, so if this is the case, add another feeder and spread/scatter goodies broadly - even the top2 girls can't control multiple feed/treat areas

If she continues to be a little droopy, consider having a fecal float just to rule out internal parasites.