Is this normal/part of molting?

[Andy Ro]

We adopted a chicken last spring so I’m a newbie. We got two pullets for her to have a small flock but one was accidentally killed when the neighbors fogged for mosquitos. The other one was found dead on a 105 degree day (I figured it was a heat stroke).

So we are back to one chicken and I’m worried about her. She must be molting because there are feathers everywhere. She stopped laying in the heat of summer which sounds common for faverolles. Then she started laying again for a week then stopped.

Now she hangs out in the coop all day unless I take her out. I thought this might be normal during molting but then I saw some scabs on her comb.

Is she sick? Do I need to get her some help/medicine?

 

[azygous]

Your neighbors weren't the only ones plagued by the mosquitoes. So was your hen. The bumps are very likely fowl pox caused by mosquitoes. It is not related to molting.

 

[Andy Ro]

Thank you. From doing a little Googling it does not sound like there is much treatment wise I can do for her. We'll make sure she has lots of fresh water, yummy food and cross our fingers that she will make it through this.

Would it be reasonable to expect that if she recovers she will return to feeling healthy and hopefully laying again?

 

[azygous]

Fowl pox is a minor ailment unless it erupts inside the mouth and throat.Then it becomes life threatening. But it will clear up on its own.

 

[Andy Ro]

So our chicken seemed to be doing better but then she started hanging out a lot inside the coop. She just doesn’t seem to be very vibrant.

Today I noticed some more muck on the top of her beak. Her comb is also not very red.

She does eat. Seems to prefer the chicken scratch over the layer pellets but she does eat some of both.

is there anything I can do for her?

 

[Andy Ro]

Bump. Anyone know if I should be doing something else for this bird?

 

[Ebony Rose]

A rubbermaid type tote filled with water & block ice (perhaps a frozen milk jug repurposed for this job) will give her something cool to snuggle up to during the worst of the summer. If you put a lid on the tote, she'll just snuggle up to the side of it; if you don't she may jump in or onto the edge to drink the cool water, offering her two ways of cooling off. Put a large cinder block or flat (and stable) stone into the tote so that she can easily climb out if you elect to not put a lid on it. This is an easily sustainable method of keeping your girl cool, as freezing the jug overnight should be sufficient to get her through the hottest part of the day. Ideally, you'll place the tote somewhere that offers deep shade. If you do not have such a location on your property, you can make some deep shade with some zinc roofing material on the cheap, and build this in a location that offers at least some shade. Zinc roofing material comes in many colors and the oxidation of the zinc will self-repair any small nicks and scratches.
If she's ignoring her balanced feed, then you must eliminate feeding her treats until she's back on her feed consistently. Scratch is as nutritious to chickens as popcorn is to humans; nada, zilch, empty calories.

 

[cherrynberry]

Bump. Anyone know if I should be doing something else for this bird?

Just make sure her water is cool throughout the day ( not freezing or warm ) and follow the others. I also recommend to get more chickens soon!

 

[micstrachan]

I agree she needs to be on a balanced feed. She may also be lonely without friends. I think yiu should give her a brief exam. Does she tolerate being handled? I would feel if her keel (breast bone) is sharply pronounced and if her abdomen (fluffy underside) feels swollen with fluid. Is she laying? Her comb appears pale like a hen out of lay. How is her poop? Do you know if her crop (food pouch where neck meets chest) is functioning properly, meaning full before bed and empty in the morning?