Molting hen posture

[my beautiful girls]

Ophelia has had a very hard molt this year. She lost all her tail and wing feathers and lots of body feathers. She is 2 months in i think. Just this week she can get up on the roost. Before she was sleeping in nest box on the floor. She doesn't ever have her tail feathers up like everyone else. She seems ok eating and drinking. Poops are good. Is she still feeling crummy or is it something else? Yesterday for a minute she stood up like a penguin. I'm giving her some extra protein as well.

 

[GodLovesU]

If she’s standing like that she could be egg-bound.I would also check her for lice.

 

[chickens4pet]

If she stood up like a penguin, check for ascites - is the underside of her back end retaining fluid, that is, is it puffy and swollen compared to another chicken? When did she last lay?

 

[my beautiful girls]

If she’s standing like that she could be egg-bound.I would also check her for lice.

She's not laying and does not have mites or lice that I can see

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Which hen is she in the photo? It's normal for them to feel a bit off when they're molting, but she's got plenty of feathers back now. Is she acting okay otherwise?

 

[my beautiful girls]

If she stood up like a penguin, check for ascites - is the underside of her back end retaining fluid, that is, is it puffy and swollen compared to another chicken? When did she last lay?

She didn't feel puffy, I will check in the morning again. It's been about 2 months since she last laid an egg.

 

[my beautiful girls]

Which hen is she in the photo? It's normal for them to feel a bit off when they're molting, but she's got plenty of feathers back now. Is she acting okay otherwise?

Ophelia on the left. She acting ok. Sometimes her balance seems off.

 

[HorseGirlAbby]

Ophelia on the left. She acting ok. Sometimes her balance seems off.

Hm. How old is she? Has she lost any weight recently? Can you check her crop in the morning and make sure it's empty? She could be dealing with a crop issue that might be making her feel bad. Or it could be worms, have you seem any suspicious droppings?

 

[my beautiful girls]

Hm. How old is she? Has she lost any weight recently? Can you check her crop in the morning and make sure it's empty? She could be dealing with a crop issue that might be making her feel bad. Or it could be worms, have you seem any suspicious droppings?

She is 2.75 years old. Poops are normal. I am doing a complete check over of her in the morning. Crop, abdomen, mouth, vent etc.... I'll report.

 

[my beautiful girls]

She is 2.75 years old. Poops are normal. I am doing a complete check over of her in the morning. Crop, abdomen, mouth, vent etc.... I'll report.

Ok, I checked her completely over. Only thing I can see is dry skin. Normal poops, good appetite, weight is same. Flat abdomen and crop this morning. Bottom of feet are good. No bugs on her skin. Eyes are clear. I don't think she is completely done molting though.