Hen not acting normal.

[PetitePlume]

Hi!
I have a Production Red with a different behavior. I only noticed today. I got her and 6 others hens about 3 weeks ago, different breeds. The other ones are acting normal. Yoday I saw "Clutch" sitting for a loooong time while the other were happily free ranging. She would just stay there and sleep. After maybe 1 hour she went with the other ones for about 5 minutes and went back in a quiet spot again, drowsing this time but standing up. When I "called" them back in there run they all came running as usual. She went and had a bit to eat and found a corner in the run and sat down, her head under her wing type of thing and didn't move for about 35 minutes.
This morning she went in the nest box but it was empty when she left. I did notice the other 2 eggs layed after she left were dirty, like if they had been in egg white. She usually lays before I go outside but for the last, maybe 3 days, I am not sure she did. And I am not getting as many eggs. Usually 6/day, sometimes 5.
They are all on layer feed. They get a hand full of scratch feed when I put them back in the run ( 7 hens share it). They have water, birch water these days and get the compost ( vege scraps).
I have been having a problem with thin shelled eggs, but it seems to be getting better since they started free ranging.
I also have 2 little girls (3&5) who are part of the care the chickens get.
Anything I should look for? Any idea was is going on?
Thanks a lot!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry about your hen.
How old is she?

Feel her abdomen for any bloat/swelling or fluid. It would be a good idea to feel inside the vent for an egg as well. You mention that the other eggs seemed to have been soiled from what might have been egg whites? She could be having problems with soft shelled eggs or it's possible she's developing a reproductive disorder.
The snoozing with the head tucked under during the day is concerning, she's not well.
While you are looking her over check for lice/mites too.

See that she's eating a balanced poultry feed and has oyster shell free choice.
If you have photos of the hen and her poop you would like to share, those may be helpful as well.
Keep us posted.

 

[PetitePlume]

She seems to be doing better today, happy and making the most of the free ranging time. I did find the membrane of an egg this morning where , I think, she was roosting. Super runny poop as you can tell in the picture.

 

[PetitePlume]

The vent looks good to me. Looks the same as an other of my layer.
I ordered some oyster shells too. I hope she'll be find...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1763540 View attachment 1763538
She seems to be doing better today, happy and making the most of the free ranging time. I did find the membrane of an egg this morning where , I think, she was roosting. Super runny poop as you can tell in the picture.

The vent looks good to me. Looks the same as an other of my layer.
I ordered some oyster shells too. I hope she'll be find...

Sounds like she was having trouble with a soft shelled egg. I would keep watch on that poop, it does not look very good, but it could be because of the egg. If it continues consider getting a fecal float to rule out worms.

Glad you ordered some oyster shells for your ladies. I offer those free choice in a separate cup in my run. For this girl, if she continues to have some problems see if giving her 1/2 tablet of Caltrate for 3-5 days helps.

I'm glad she is feeling better.

 

[JadeFarms]

For the soft shelled eggs, the chickens should get calcium. It will help a lot.

 

[PetitePlume]

For the soft shelled eggs, the chickens should get calcium. It will help a lot.

I just put a container of ground egg shells in the coop. It is separate so hopefully there won't bee as much on the floor...

 

[PetitePlume]

Clutch seems fine now! They have been eating egg shells and the eggs look good again. I am actually surprised that it improved so quick. Got my bag of oyster shells so I'll put these to work right away.
Thank you all your help, we really appreciate it!