I’m worried about my chickens

[ilovemychooks1]

The past month, my chickens are acting weird. They have been eating pine shavings occasionally or everyday a bit and just running around all of a sudden like somethings chasing them. Then they are just sitting in their coop almost the whole day and drinking water from the ground instead of the bowl.

They are molting a lot and it was also pretty cold and snowing. So today was more warmer with no snow but they are still in the coop. One of my hens comb turned so much smaller and her comb is now the smallest out of my other hen. Her face is also more yellow tint. Someone tell me what’s wrong please. They aren’t laying and their poop is huge and looks normal though. They aren’t broody either…

They keep looking up like there’s something there but there’s not.. could they be hallucinating something…

 

[Myrshine]

Normally in the colder wintery months, the combs, waddles and face will shrink and go slightly pale when they are not laying. When the comb, waddles and face are a bright red, it means there is blood flow going to those places for temperature control for the warm months and can also mean that they may be back in lay. While there is no definite research for this, it may or may not be useful.

Also for the weird freaky behavior, it may be very well due to them just being paranoid— especially if they saw a predator— they are being very cautious about it.

How old are they?
Are they currently laying? If so, when did they lay last?
Are the comb, waddles or face a blueish or purpleish color?
Any other symptoms?

 

[ilovemychooks1]

Normally in the colder wintery months, the combs, waddles and face will shrink and go slightly pale when they are not laying. When the comb, waddles and face are a bright red, it means there is blood flow going to those places for temperature control for the warm months and can also mean that they may be back in lay. While there is no definite research for this, it may or may not be useful.

Also for the weird freaky behavior, it may be very well due to them just being paranoid— especially if they saw a predator— they are being very cautious about it.

How old are they?
Are they currently laying? If so, when did they lay last?
Are the comb, waddles or face a blueish or purpleish color?
Any other symptoms?

They are a year old. They aren’t laying currently one of them buttercup laid probably 3 months ago and chestnut laid like 2 weeks ago buttercuo is almost done moulting but chestnut still needs to moult. Buttercups face is yellowish and small comb now thats red and chestnuts comb is red and face is red bht there’s like water coming out of their nostrils sometimes.. they are also just huddled at one corner today since it was really windy.

 

[Myrshine]

They are a year old. They aren’t laying currently one of them buttercup laid probably 3 months ago and chestnut laid like 2 weeks ago buttercuo is almost done moulting but chestnut still needs to moult. Buttercups face is yellowish and small comb now thats red and chestnuts comb is red and face is red bht there’s like water coming out of their nostrils sometimes.. they are also just huddled at one corner today since it was really windy.

Sounds like maybe a mild respiratory infection such as Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) or Infectious Coryza. Have they ever had any sort of respiratory infection in the past? They may be huddled because they’re sick or it’s cold outside. I’m not sure where you’re located, but if it’s cold outside, then that is most likely the reason why they are huddled up.

 

[Abbie85614]

Sounds like maybe a mild respiratory infection such as Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) or Infectious Coryza. Have they ever had any sort of respiratory infection in the past? They may be huddled because they’re sick or it’s cold outside. I’m not sure where you’re located, but if it’s cold outside, then that is most likely the reason why they are huddled up.

They need to be in 80 degrees, steam sitting on sink shower for nose AND ANTIBIOTICS IMMEDIATELY...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Can you please provide some photos of the Buttercup, her nostrils, housing, etc.?

Sounds like colder weather and molting to me.
You mention them drinking water off the ground instead of from the bowl - is there standing water on the ground?

 

[ilovemychooks1]

Sounds like maybe a mild respiratory infection such as Mycoplasma Gallisepticum (MG) or Infectious Coryza. Have they ever had any sort of respiratory infection in the past? They may be huddled because they’re sick or it’s cold outside. I’m not sure where you’re located, but if it’s cold outside, then that is most likely the reason why they are huddled up.

I’m in Canada and it’s really windy and cold. They also eat pine Shavings. I have vet rx but I also see them moulting.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What do you normally feed?
Are they being cooped up all the time with it being cold?
It's not unusual for birds to nip at pine shavings, but if they are eating a lot, then consider their diet and if they are getting balanced nutrition.

Do make sure they have access to grit (Crushed Granite) as well.

 

[ilovemychooks1]

What do you normally feed?
Are they being cooped up all the time with it being cold?
It's not unusual for birds to nip at pine shavings, but if they are eating a lot, then consider their diet and if they are getting balanced nutrition.

Do make sure they have access to grit (Crushed Granite) as well.

I feed a layer feed (rolling acres one). And they free range everyday bht they like to stay in the coop. I also give mealworms and other treats like corn, rice, and they eat lots of grass too.