Help! We suddenly have two big problems...

Hi everyone. Thanks for viewing my post. I could really use some help now. First of all, our 6 chickens are good layers and are about 6 months old now. I unfortunately happened to get a very loud bunch of girls, and because backyard hens are not legal here, this has seriously stressed us out so far...but, we are dedicated! Our neighbors have been nice, too. Now the chickens have quite a bit of property to themselves, with a large surface area of grass and dirt for finding bugs. That's issue #1: if anyone has advise for sometimes insanely noisy hens, I'd greatly appreciate it!

The main issues and actual emergencies we're having are:
1- I have one hen who was laying well then 2 weeks ago decided to sit in the next 24/7. I get her out a few times a day and she eats some grass or food then goes right back to her nest. I've fed her water with probiotic in it with a medicine dropper a few times now. She has stopped laying. I can't figure out if she's sick or a "broody" hen, as someone has told me. I don't know if any vets in the area are experienced with chickens, either.

2- One of my hens suddenly started limping. He one claw is obviously injured. There is no visible wound on her, and I've palpated her entire limb to find a weak spot. I think she may have got it caught or something. I'm planning on waiting a week or so to see if it heals itself. Is there any possibility that this is a genetic issue (since I know so many of our modern chickens have been genetically altered to not be functional...so sad!)

Thanks for any feedback!!!

 

Thanks for the replies! It does sound like she's broody, but I have to get her up to eat! She does chatter like crazy then puff out and look at me with an evil eye every time. So broody hens won't lay eggs? Will she always be like this, or is this a phase? The problem for me is that I'd have to take quite a drive to find some baby chicks...we only get them locally at Easter. If I found someone to take the babies, I'd get them for a week or so if it would change her attitude! I do worry that she's sick because she won't get up to eat on her own, but she eats well when I get her up. I'll sit there for a while and she'll fill herself up then look at me for a second and make a mad dash for her nest again. I worry, but I can't help but marvel at the stubborn personality in this thing! None of my other chickens have become sick at all. They have ample freedom on a relatively big yard with fresh water every day. Are there any other symptoms I'd look for for parasites, etc. Again, I'm in a little bit of a pickle because they aren't legal yet and I'm not sure what vet I could take her to. I'll ask around to see if there is a good chicken vet locally. I used to have ferrets (also illegal) and our vet happily cared for them.

Wow, raising chickens is quite a learning experience! I'll keep you updated on the other one's foot.
Thanks!!!