Hi Everyone. I just searched because I think I have a sick chicken. I just read through this thread and have more questions if you can help, please. I'm new "again" at raising laying hens. It's been about 10 years. I acquired 3 Delawares in July and was told they were laying hens. I also raised 9 babies and put them all together in December. The 3 Delawares were a little mean. One layed daily before winter and another here and there. The third one never made noises like a rooster but I'm thinking it's a rooster seeing a red dot in those eggs.
I tell you all of this because one of the Delawares had it's comb turn darker the last couple of days. I thought that was odd then today, I saw him or her falling asleep when I was there and all the other hens were interested in me.
After I read this, just went out and fed this chicken. It has been much gentler with me but still "the boss" with the other hens. The three Delawares have been the bosses. He or she ate out of my hand and went to the water. I noticed it's mouth keeps opening... like needing more air??? No bugs that I can see but it's but is full of runny diarrhea looking stuff with a little green color. The chicken is still tired and went and layed down after it finished eating from my hand.
We have had a cold winter but I had a light out there with them since I put them all together in December. We were having pretty nice weather with highs in 50-60 and lows in 40's. Then we had a big snow storm Monday that brought a foot of snow for a couple days and lows in the 30's again.
Also, we were out of town for a week returning Saturday which was two days before the storm. When I returned, the chickens were completely out of water. I assume it was a day or two. They were all desperate and then I found no eggs at all the next day and only one to three since which was over a weeks time.
I have no idea how old the Delawares are but now assume it's a problem. I'll search how to tell if its a rooster and think I should check if there's an egg stuck.
Also, I'm concerned about spreading anything it might have to the others. I have dogs inside but think I should keep him or her inside for the night in the dog kennel for warmth.
Please give any advice you can and thank you so very much. You all are so kind!!!
Dawn in Reno, NV
