Help. Strange behavior.

Chickenlover720

Songster
May 15, 2018
92
194
121
W Central Indiana
My Easter Egger hen just laid her fist egg yesterday. She was acting completely normal scratching around the yard with the other hens. Today, however, when I went out to feed them, she was sitting in the far corner of the coop all by herself. She didn't respond at all to the food and I had the pull her out of the corner. Her tail feathers were droopy, she didn't want to keep her eyes open, and was acting very lethargic. She drank a little bit of water and then I put her in a box and brought her inside to look after her. Within a few minutes she started becoming more aware of her surroundings and perked up. I took her back to the coop (she was trying to jump out of the uncovered box inside).
About 30minutes later I took some fresh water out and she was walking around fairly normally and was drinking water. This evening when I took food she was running around and eating food. Later I checked on her and she was up on the roost like normal.
I don't know what caused this behavior? The way she looked I seriously didn't think she was going to make it as I have had hens in the past have similar symptoms and die. If anybody has any clues as to what was wrong I'd appreciate the input.
Edit: just FYI she is about 8 months old.
 
Last edited:
Is it cold where you are?
Has she laid again?
Did you check her vent area for any abnormalities?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
upload_2019-2-4_7-40-13.png
 
Is it cold where you are?
Has she laid again?
Did you check her vent area for any abnormalities?

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!
View attachment 1663082

Thank you for your suggestion on putting my location. It usually would be cold here but we're in a warm snap so yesterday it was high 50s. She has laid again this morning and I did checked her vent yesterday but it looked completely normal then and today. She is acting like a perfectly healthy chicken this morning so I am not too worried but I am just wondering if anyone's had a chicken have this type of behavior.
 
She is acting like a perfectly healthy chicken this morning so I am not too worried but I am just wondering if anyone's had a chicken have this type of behavior.
I have seen it with cold and heat stressed birds....and also brought birds to a more temperate place to observe and make sure they can eat and drink, usually give them some Sav-A-Chick electrolytes/vitamin solution for a boost.
 

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