Lethargic, panting, and generally odd bird behavior

[hopp2it]

So I have an EE that is just plain weird today. She's been fine up until today when I noticed just now when I went to check on the flock that she's pretty calm, lethargic like, not flinching or anything when I try to pick her up, not fighting any behavior from me (like looking under her tail feathers), and she's panting. Her bottom is also moving a lot. I thought at first maybe egg bound but I just found an egg from her (she's our only EE) in the nest box. Any thoughts? Should I separate her from the other birds? She's not being her normal self at all. Right now shes laying in the corner in the run panting.

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Yes separate her. Its possible she is just recovering from laying an egg. Make sure she is drinking.

 

[casportpony]

Yes separate her. Its possible she is just recovering from laying an egg. Make sure she is drinking.

X2

 

[hopp2it]

Normally when she has laid an egg, she just comes running out of the nest box like nothing happened. This behavior is very very odd. I even tried to give her a meal worm and yogurt, by themselves, and she wanted neither. I just checked on her a bit ago and she did get up on the perch with the other hens for the night.

 

[casportpony]

Normally when she has laid an egg, she just comes running out of the nest box like nothing happened. This behavior is very very odd. I even tried to give her a meal worm and yogurt, by themselves, and she wanted neither. I just checked on her a bit ago and she did get up on the perch with the other hens for the night.

You should bring her inside your house for the night and keep an eye on her.

 

[seminolewind]

I think I would also check her for a 2nd egg. You never know.

 

[casportpony]

X2, my turkeys have done that.

 

[hopp2it]

I watched her closely Sunday and Monday. She seems to be back to 100%. Maybe she had an exhausting egg delivery Saturday. My husband had said he found her several times in and out of the nest box on saturday as well as up and down from the fence. Perhaps the egg I found Saturday evening took all of her energy and she just needed a good sleep.

 

[casportpony]

Happy to hear that... Going forward, you should make sure she has access to enough calcium.

 

[casportpony]

Here are some pictures that I have found helpful: