Hen, Rosy, is acting really strange! Please help me!!

[bobbie girl]

My six year old hen, Rosy, has been acting strangely lately and I'm really worried. She is a Rhode Island Red and lives with two other hens who seem healthy. I've been gone for the past few weeks and my neighbors have been taking care of the girls. When I got back today, I immediately noticed something was wrong.

She stands still and lets me pet her, something she normally wouldn't let me do. Also, she has very little interest in food, even her favorites. If I hold some of her treats right in front of her, she doesn't take it out of my hand. She's also scratching herself with her beak, though I don't know if that has anything to do with what's wrong with her. Her beak looks a little droopy and is white at the tips, and she is blinking her eyes more than normal. When she blinks, I can see the see through part of the lids, and I'm really worried. She hasn't laid in a long time, but I'm pretty sure that's just because of her age. Is this just old age? But the other chickens are fine. Please help me! I love her to death!

 

[birdlady79]

Could she have mites or lice since she is scratching?

 

[bobbie girl]

I'm not sure. If she had mites or lice, would that cause her to act like that? None of my chickens have had them before so I don't know much about either one. I'm most worried about her not eating. She usually loves her scratch and lettuce!

 

[birdlady79]

It can cause them to become lethargic and anemic and can eventually kill a bird if not treated....I use Sevin Dust to treat.... None of the others are scratching? Usually if one has them, they all do....