Hen makes no noise

[irlybird]

I’ve got 14 1.5 yr old hens and on average get 10 eggs a day so feel overall they must be healthy happy bunch. All winter through summer we’ve been getting that.

I’ve noticed one of my white leghorns doesn’t make noise though. She opens her mouth and stretches her neck as if to speak and nothing comes out. Now it’s been like this for months I just never thought of asking. What causes this?

She has no breathing issues. She clearly eats drinks and lays eggs fine.

The majority of my flock does have bare bums (and a few have a bald spot on back) due to feather pickers but I don’t believe illness is involved. They all talk to me non stop when I’m around except this quite speechless leghorn.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The neck stretching is them adjusting the crop contents. It could be she's bottom bird so she stays more quiet. Otherwise some just are quiet birds.

I would switch to a higher protein ration. Feather picking can turn to cannibalism. Generally it means they aren't getting enough protein in their daily diet when they feather pick. Boredom and crowding can also cause it.