I don't know if they're scared or sick

[AnonPaperclip]

I let out hens out this morning and all of them were acting weird. Usually as soon as I open the run, they all come out and immediately go for the bird feeder. This morning, they all seemed pretty spooked or something.

The first one out was one of our welsummers, and she walked pretty slowly. Her head was up high and she seemed like she was looking around and clucking. The other two welsums were hesitant on leaving the run, and one of them stayed by me for a long time.

Our White Rock is the one I'm the most worried about, though. She wouldn't move at all, instead staying in the middle of the run. She was panting, and after I was able to pick her up, I noticed she was regurgitating some clear fluid. It didn't smell like anything, and her crop seemed ok. Her heart was racing when I held her, and she's still panting.

Right now, she's hiding right in-between two trees and would occasionally stand up, tail down. The other three are back in the coop already, and usually they love staying out.
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I went to go check on them again in the middle of typing this. When I went out there, all three welsums were next to her, looking around. I was able to get her to eat some bite-sized pieces of grape, and she seemed to perk up a bit. They're her favorite treat. She got up and took a few steps away from me, and she looked like she was shaking. There's nothing coming out of her beak anymore.

There's no blockage in or around her butt, but there is some poop on her feathers right below it. Her comb is pale too. She's walking a bit weird, and I'm gonna try to get a video of it. I don't think she's egg bound because we've felt her abdomen and found nothing.

My best guess is that something startled them some time before I let them out, and honestly I hope it's just that and she'll be able to calm down and recover. None of the other hens are picking on her, and one of them gets really close and likes to stay be her side.
Another one of the welsums is standing still under a certain tree. She'll occasionally walk somewhere else or come to me if I have food, but she always goes back to the same tree in the same spot. Her head is drawn in and her tail is down.

We do have predators here, but there's no damage to the coop so I don't think anything went in and hurt them. Neither of the hens are bleeding as far as I can tell...

 

[sourland]

I'd keep an eye on them throughout the day. It almost sounds like the response to an aerial predator.

 

[coach723]

I agree with @sourland , it does sound like t hey were scared by something in the air. After a hawk attack several years ago in which I lost one bird, the others took days to return to normal. They were traumatized and very spooked and refused to leave the covered run for days.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Our White Rock is the one I'm the most worried about, though. She wouldn't move at all, instead staying in the middle of the run. She was panting, and after I was able to pick her up, I noticed she was regurgitating some clear fluid. It didn't smell like anything, and her crop seemed ok.

Just for giggles, check the White Rock's crop first thing in the morning before she's had anything to eat/drink to make sure it's emptying overnight.

 

[coach723]

If everything seemed normal before whatever happened to spook them, then I would give them some time. Since they seemed spooked when you let them out this morning, also possible that something was hanging around the coop overnight or early this morning that got them worked up and scared. If you have a game camera, or can borrow one, then setting it up so you can see if anything shows up, may answer that. They are likely stressed, I would just keep an eye on them. If something happens that makes it seem more like illness, then let us know.

 

[AnonPaperclip]

I'd keep an eye on them throughout the day. It almost sounds like the response to an aerial predator.

Thanks
That would make sense since they're both hiding under things. There are hawks and vultures that fly around here sometimes. Maybe one tried to go for the coop and hit the chicken wire?

The WR is still laying between the trees and she seems pretty alert and interested in what's around her. The welsums just got up after being approached by the dominant hen and is now following the other two.

 

[coach723]

Keep an eye on them. If it's hot where you are the stress will just add to what they already have. Make sure they have plenty of fresh, cool water in places they are comfortable going to get it. If you can give them some places to hide, it may make them more comfortable (just make sure they can't be cornered).

 

[CluckerFamily]

My flock knows when a predator is too close or hanging around. They refuse to leave the run or stay really close to the run. When this happens, I just lock them in the run for about a week. This allows for the spring bear to pass through and the autumn cougar to pass through also. When there was a bobcat hanging around, they were locked in the run for a longer time until they told me it was gone (they were back to their normal personalities).

 

[coach723]

Do you mean she died? I'm so sorry if that's the case. She may have had an underlying health issue that was aggravated by stress. The only way to know for sure is to have her body necropsied. Sometimes symptoms of illness can be very subtle, the birds hide it very well until it's very advanced, so it will sometimes go unnoticed. If you want to have her necropsied, refrigerate the body (don't freeze) and the link below is a list of labs by state:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahln/downloads/all_nahln_lab_list.pdf

 

[HeatherKellyB]

You mentioned her poop was dark and runny. Any chance you can take a white paper towel, tissue and pick it up. The white will make it obvious, just in case it's blood. I only say this because I just went through something similar. If I didn't get the poop on a white paper towel, I probably just would have thought it was dark.
I am so sorry for your loss. Sending you virtual hugs