My hen is acting really strange please help!

[8hensandarooster]

I noticed in May that my hen was losing feathers on her tummy. But in the last couple weeks shes been sitting pretty much all day unless i grab her and pick her up to go outside or walk around. I saw today that she is pretty skinny and has some irritation on the top of her breast bone. I have 9 chickens and she is the 2nd oldest of the group but is also the smallest. my mom said she might just be doing it for the eggs. Shes not even sleeping on the roost with the others like she used to with her buddy. I do have one rooster but he doesnt seem that aggresive towards the other birds...most of the time. She has had problems in the past about pooping on her back feathers.
PLEASE HELP ANY HELP WOULD GREATLY BE APPRICIATED!!!!!!!! And is there anything i can do for her???

My Ms. Penny is a sweetheart she is a little over a year old. She is a Golden Laced Wyandotte and i believe that she is a bantie.

 

[nzpouter]

gone broody?

 

[3goodeggs]

She might be broody. They remove the feathers to sit skin on the eggs. They do not get up and walk around. They make mean noises and look at you like the only food they'll eat is your flesh....

that's all I have for you.

 

[ChicKat]

Welcome to the forum 8hensandarooster

I agree with the above--- search here on 'broody hen' and/or the internet to see if you have a match.

good luck taking care of her.

 

[bawkbawkbawk]

Tritto on all the above - my BO refused to leave the nest and I was worried about her, then when I saw she had lost most of her feathers on one side of her breast I was SURE she had some dread disease. Yep, the one called "baby fever". They apparently call it a "brood patch" - the hens pluck their own feathers out of that area so that the chicks have a snuggly warm spot to cuddle up to their mama.

 

[dragonlair]

I agree, she sounds like what a couple of mine are doing at the moment. I keep trying to tell them its too late in the season to bring babies into the world but they just don't listen. I have the marks on my hands from stealing their eggs.

 

[8hensandarooster]

Thank you everybody for responding. its like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders!!!!!!

 

[jaylee]

Sure sounds like she is getting broody. Perfectly normal behaviour if thats what is going on....

 

[sourland]

In an echoing voice Sourland says, "I think she is broody."