- Thread starter
- #11
KentuckyJanet
Chirping
- Jul 2, 2017
- 62
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Thank you so much! I will definetely purchase some Blu Kote. I honestly cant say for sure if she is laying or not. I have 11 hens and on average I am still getting 9 eggs. I have had 10 eggs multiple times but only once did I get 11. And one of those eggs had no shell. I have suspected that one of the hens may have an issue. I realize that egg production is down in the winter so am certaintly not expecting them all to lay right now . I guess I don't know enough to tell for sure who is and who isn't. She has a bright red comb...but they all do.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.
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I wish I hadn't trimmed her feathers back yesterday because I suspect that is what has triggered either her or the others to pull them completely out.
I didn't notice any lice or mites but wasn't looking for them either. I haven't had any reason to suspect that this time. I have on occasion put ACV in their water and used food grade DM in coop and some in their food.
They do have a nice coop that has good ventilation and they are protected from the wind.