Hen Hiding All Day

[mvvw]

A hen I've had since I first got into raising chickens has fallen ill. I first noticed this when I was changing my chickens water and saw that she was missing. I looked everywhere and found her under the house. Everyday when she's let out, she'll eat but then quickly make her way under the house for the rest of the day. When the flock goes to bed, she refuses to go on her own. I've had her separated for now but I can't seem to figure out the issue. She seems exhausted and doesn't cluck anymore. And if she does cluck, it sounds funny. Almost like she has boogers in her throat. Anyone know what may be wrong with her?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Sure she's not broody? It's that time of year ...

 

[WishingStar]

And if she does cluck, it sounds funny. Almost like she has boogers in her throat.

If it's a broody cluck, it's usually a sharp "tuck tuck tuck" or a "purr" or "dinosaur screeching" sounds.

Does she fluff up like a massive pom pom when you approach her under the house?

Two broodies:

Helena doing a "broody poof". She'll make soft "purring" sounds if I touch her.

Cleo making dinosaur screeches.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When you pulled her out from under the house, did she have eggs under her?

 

[mvvw]

If it's a broody cluck, it's usually a sharp "tuck tuck tuck" or a "purr" or "dinosaur screeching" sounds.

Does she fluff up like a massive pom pom when you approach her under the house?

Two broodies:
View attachment 4324879
Helena doing a "broody poof". She'll make soft "purring" sounds if I touch her.
View attachment 4324878
Cleo making dinosaur screeches.

She makes little to no movement. Usually, she's very skittish but she lets me pick her up as if it's nothing.

 

[mvvw]

When you pulled her out from under the house, did she have eggs under her?

She did not! I thought that may have been the case, but usually broody hens are very aggressive. She's typically a skittish hen but she lets me grab her as if it doesn't bother her.