I have a six-month-old Buckeye hen named Apple and I am starting to be concerned by her behavior. 1. When she is eating her feed, she randomly squeaks. It's a high pitch, loud noise that drives me crazy! 2. Eating seems to be a challenge to her. She tosses her neck back when eating her scratch, but not with treats that I throw on the ground for them. She also makes wheezing noises as she is swallowing her food. 3. I think everybody else is laying, but she isn't yet. 4. Even though I see her eating the most, she hasn't seemed to gain weight. She is the skinniest of the flock. 5. She is the rooster's favorite. He is always trying to mount her more than any of the others, so she is spending most of her time avoiding him. I wonder if I am being too paranoid, or if there is a real problem. Should I cull her? Or is she just the runt of the group? What should I do???
Wish I could help. Have you checked her poop? Are you certain she doesn't have worms? Some hens never lay... and eventually should be culled unless you like her as a pet.
I haven't seen any poop that's unusual, but you never know.... If I cull her, is it a bad idea to eat her?
