im so annoyed!!!

[BackyardCountry]

My buff orpington hen has been acting so strange. a few days ago she had a swollen/ half closed eye and recently she has been lying in the dirt. we've had some rain so the dirt isnt dusty, its cakey and whenever i pick her up, she has balls of dirt matted in her feathers! what can i do to prevent this?? she is free range and i'd like to keep her that way

 

[kerrysmommy]

the dirt on her is just dried mud (you daid it has rained so that explaines tht) the eye i cant explain.......hope this helps

 

[dainerra]

my first guess, given the eye, is that she is sick. Is she eating/drinking? How about poop - is it normal size/color/consistency?

That said, mine do like to lay in the mud from time to time. As it drys and flakes off, it can help get rid of bugs and itchiness - the same reasons that the birds take their dust baths

 

[nuttyredhead]

How is she today?? How does her eye look?

 

[Oregon Blues]

Sounds sick to me.