Help! I think my chicken is sick :(

[B4pack]

I had a flock of 4 chickens. 2 of them turned out to be roosters. I gave them away. I had 2 barred rock hens left. They are about 1.5 years old. We left for vacation and our neighbor who was watching them and collecing the eggs called and said that one had passed away. Just basically looked like it had a hear attack and was face first into her nest. The other one was still happy and laying when we were gone and after we got home. Where we live, you can only get chickens for about 2 months and we were past this time to get her a new friend and the pounds only have roosters available. She seemed fine and we decided to get some more friends for her after this coming winter. Today,I went out to check on her again like I do every day. She is just sitting on the fake layer eggs and is now on day 3 of not laying. I have to now coach her out of the coop to come get water and food. Is she just lonely or do you think there is something else wrong with her? She still looks really good, super friendly, no feather loss and when I present food (treats) to her she goes for it like normal. We Live in Northern CA and the last week it has been 98+ degrees each day. Any suggestions...I am at a loss

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

I had a flock of 4 chickens. 2 of them turned out to be roosters. I gave them away. I had 2 barred rock hens left. They are about 1.5 years old. We left for vacation and our neighbor who was watching them and collecing the eggs called and said that one had passed away. Just basically looked like it had a hear attack and was face first into her nest. The other one was still happy and laying when we were gone and after we got home. Where we live, you can only get chickens for about 2 months and we were past this time to get her a new friend and the pounds only have roosters available. She seemed fine and we decided to get some more friends for her after this coming winter. Today,I went out to check on her again like I do every day. She is just sitting on the fake layer eggs and is now on day 3 of not laying. I have to now coach her out of the coop to come get water and food. Is she just lonely or do you think there is something else wrong with her? She still looks really good, super friendly, no feather loss and when I present food (treats) to her she goes for it like normal. We Live in Northern CA and the last week it has been 98+ degrees each day. Any suggestions...I am at a loss

Hi B4Pack, has she ever been broody? She could be trying to hatch eggs... They stop laying, may pluck feathers from their breast, and may only occasionally leave the nest box to eat, drink, and potty. They also tend to make a steady “cluck cluck cluck” call whennoff the nest...

 

[B4pack]

Hi B4Pack, has she ever been broody? She could be trying to hatch eggs... They stop laying, may pluck feathers from their breast, and may only occasionally leave the nest box to eat, drink, and potty. They also tend to make a steady “cluck cluck cluck” call whennoff the nest...

Never been broody. She is super quiet The chicken that passed away was the one who always clucked afer she layed or this chicken layed. I have a feeling she is just really lonely but not laying all of a sudden has me scared. We are looking for a friend for her but it is hard where we live to find hens

 

[Steven Bussell]

Do you have a TS close by. They have chicks. . Atlases the one by me does

 

[B4pack]

Do you have a TS close by. They have chicks. . Atlases the one by me does

No Tractor Supply here has chickens

 

[Steven Bussell]

:sorry to hear that...I'm in the Sf bay area.... If I had more room I would raise chicken to sell for people who are looking for a companion for their lovely bird

 

[B4pack]

:sorry to hear that...I'm in the Sf bay area.... If I had more room I would raise chicken to sell for people who are looking for a companion for their lovely bird

I love chickens. If we were home from vacation before the chicks were all gone, we would have got her some friends. Sacramento is funny with the time frame on chicks. You have to get them when they first come out or you won't get them. They do not bring in any more after the first round is gone

 

[drumstick diva]

Sounds like your hen is going broody - she is sitting on eggs with the intent of hatching them. Broody hens have to be forced off the nest at least twice a day, so they will eat, drink ,pooh and stretch their legs.

When a hen is broody she will sit on eggs, toys, rocks, even nothing, and try to hatch it.
It is a hormonal thing. Doesn't sound like like anything else. If you don't have a rooster her eggs have no chance of being fertile and won't hatch.

You could get her a day old chick or two and put them under her at night, so she will feel fulfilled as a mama.