OK so I have 3 birds - 2 hens and a rooster. My rhode island red has started to act a bit strange. She used to be excited when I went over to their run but now just stands in the same spot and looks really tired. She has stopped laying (haven't had an egg in about 5 days, but have noticed soft egg shells). I have been providing oyster shell for them along with layers pellets. What could be wrong with her? She doesn't seem interested in food and doesn't even look when I throw in treats. She will peck at food now and again bit generally just really distant. I haven't noticed anything different with her eyes. Her comb is a bit pale but I don't remember hers ever being really red. I also don't really have anywhere to put her to separate her from the other two. What should I do?
How old is she? Since she is not eating much, how does her crop feel - is it full, empty, soft, hard, any sour smell to her breath? How does her abdomen feel - bloated, hard, normal, etc.? What does her poop look like? Can you post a picture of her - how is she standing? Check her crop to make sure she doesn't have an impacted or sour crop. Check her well for any signs of lice/mites. Also feel of her abdomen, since she hasn't laid an egg for a little while and some were soft shelled, she could an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, cancer or tumors. Some symptoms can include loose droppings, going off feed/loss of appetite, weight loss in the breast area, sometimes swelling from egg/egg matter or fluid in abdomen, problems walking (standing like a penguin) and trouble breathing. Soft shell eggs can also be due to vitamin deficiency (Vitamins E, B12 and D, also Phosphorus and Selenium), stress/disruptions or illnesses (respiratory disease). Offer her some poultry vitamins in her water, hydration is important. Once she is well hydrated see if she will eat her layer feed, you can add some scrambled/hard boiled egg, tuna, mackerel or meat for more protein as well. Peritonitis and internal egg laying issues: http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/ Egg Quality: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems
