I'm not sure we an issue or not. One of our hens was laying an egg every other day (1.5y Wyandotte, in cold cold mi weather), and now she is not. I have also seen her stretch her head all the way up and put her head back with her beak open, twice. I felt her neck/throat and didn't notice anything. She's eating and otherwise acting normal. No eggs from her for 1.5-2 weeks. Thoughts?
Sounds like winter, to me. Are you noticing any odd behavior, wheezing, nasal drainage, lethargy, or walking like a penguin? If she's acting like a chicken, it sounds like she's got the winter blues. The stretching action you see can be the chicken readjusting what's in her crop after eating. Kinda like us unbuttoning our jeans after dinner! Unless she's puffed and hunched, straining to pass something, pooping weird/blood, or doing anything besides being herself, I would worry very little. We just got our first egg yesterday after WEEKS of egg drought! Hang in there! SPRING IS COMING! <3 MrsB
If she is not moulting...i.e. loss of feathers... It may be a good opportunity to de-worm your flock ..unless you have recently de-wormed.... You should examine her to ensure she is not losing weight...if her keel bone is sharp she is losing weight...you can put her on scales to check for any weight loss.... Have you recently treated with Sevin Dust or Permethrin for any lice/mite problems? If not...it may be prudent to do so... You can...as a booster...offer extra Vitamins to your flock during these cold months...some scrambled egg...tuna fish....anything rich in Vitamins to help their immune systems during these cold months...
Otherwise ok. Not molting. No lice/mites. Recently wormed. Eats well/ healthy. Not underweight. No issues. Neck feels fine.