House chicken with contractions

[DebJoh10]

I rescued a Golden Commet about 8 months ago after her flock had been killed. She became my house chicken when she was terrified of being outside, and couldn't be integrated into a new flock. She is an only chicken, but has been happy. She's gone from being afraid of people, to enjoying my close attention. She is now two years old. She was laying 5 eggs a week until a month ago when I started turning off lights early, so she would quit and give her body a rest. A week ago she began acting like she wanted to lay an egg, but couldn't. She was acting normal in every other way. I took her to my vet, who did a thorough exam and found no egg binding. He gave her antibiotic, worm med, and parasite med. Now she won't eat her layer crumbles, but eats everything else with gusto, is active and bright eyed. She acts like she is having egg laying contractions all the time, and is acting like she's either itchy or nerves are crawly. Any ideas what is going on?

 

[Welshies]

You should not be feeding laying feed to a non-laying bird.
In general most folks here avoid lay feed. It just causes unwarranted problems. Most of us feed 18-20% maintenance or all flock feed instead, with a free choice side of oyster shell.
Other than that, i don't know what to say.

 

[DebJoh10]

OK, that's good to know. I will get some and change her over tomorrow. Thank you!

 

[Rusty Rooster MAC]

As far as the itchiness goes, inspect her for lice/mites if the vet didnt already do so.
I suspect she might getting ready to go into molt which irritates chickens.

 

[DebJoh10]

As far as the itchiness goes, inspect her for lice/mites if the vet didnt already do so.
I suspect she might getting ready to go into molt which irritates chickens.

The vet looked her over pretty good, and I have kept a close eye on her for mites and lice. But I will look her over again. I have found quite a few feathers, but don't know if she's plucking or losing them. I bought some Bach's Rescue Remedy and want to do some research on its safety, but hoping it will help her. Thank you for your response!

 

[coach723]

When you check her over look for any pin feathers coming in, especially around the neck/head, under wings, around the tail and vent. If you find any pin feathers then it's likely she's molting. I can be very subtle sometimes and barely noticeable, other times a feather explosion. If she's molting it can make it uncomfortable to be handled, so be gentle.

 

[DebJoh10]

When you check her over look for any pin feathers coming in, especially around the neck/head, under wings, around the tail and vent. If you find any pin feathers then it's likely she's molting. I can be very subtle sometimes and barely noticeable, other times a feather explosion. If she's molting it can make it uncomfortable to be handled, so be gentle.

Is it a normal thing for an indoor chicken to molt this time of year? I have gradually shortened light time, so would that trigger a molt? She did molt some in the early fall, and didn't see any of these symptoms. But the air wasn't as dry as it us now with the furnace running all the time. Do chickens suffer from dry skin? (So many questions, lol. Sorry. )

 

[Rusty Rooster MAC]

Chickens shed dander and feather sheaths which is normal. Chickens can go into molt anytime of the year really. Some molts are barely noticible, others are full blown hard molts, most of which occur in the fall and winter. Generally, less daylight hours and cooler weather are triggers for molt. Chickens instinctively sense the changes.

 

[coach723]

Chickens can molt at any time, though we are usually most accustomed to seeing it in mid to late summer or fall. It's triggered internally by a mechanism that is not particularly well understood scientifically, and even illness and/or stress can trigger a molt. The shortening hours of daylight is a common trigger, so that may be what is going on. Here is a link that talks about molt with lots of good info: http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/217/moulting-a-natural-process/

 

[theoldchick]

If she's molting she will pin feathers which will be tender. Look at her vent and see if looks normal. Give her a gentle squeeze back there to check for a possible stuck egg. Also, since she did see a vet, I'd call the office and get some advice.