So I have a blue marans hen, purchased from a local breeder in September at 12 weeks old.
She is one of 7 hens I have from him.
She has always been lowest in the pecking order, she was the smallest by 2 weeks of age, and she is still not laying (she is now about 7 months old). She doesnt look SICK but she is often a bit puffed up, (no neck) and squinty eyed, or looks a bit sleepy. Her eyes are clear (no goop) and her feathers are nice and she perks right up when she hears the oat bag open for a treat- comes racing over and feeds well. But other than that, she keeps to herself, squinty eyes and puffed up, and when she walks she picks up one foot at a time, standing on one foot for a while, then the next, etc. Often see her standing on one foot. You wouldn't notice all of this if you came for a quick visit- but I am a bit chicken obsessed at the moment.
I am not going to bring her to a vet.
Just hoping for some thoughts from those with more chicken experience.
Is there a vitamin I can give her? Is she just sick and tired of being cooped up? (its deep winter here)
She let my daughter pet her (on her lap) for an hour last week, without trying to get off... seemed to me to be unusual behaviour....
She is one of 7 hens I have from him.
She has always been lowest in the pecking order, she was the smallest by 2 weeks of age, and she is still not laying (she is now about 7 months old). She doesnt look SICK but she is often a bit puffed up, (no neck) and squinty eyed, or looks a bit sleepy. Her eyes are clear (no goop) and her feathers are nice and she perks right up when she hears the oat bag open for a treat- comes racing over and feeds well. But other than that, she keeps to herself, squinty eyes and puffed up, and when she walks she picks up one foot at a time, standing on one foot for a while, then the next, etc. Often see her standing on one foot. You wouldn't notice all of this if you came for a quick visit- but I am a bit chicken obsessed at the moment.
I am not going to bring her to a vet.
Just hoping for some thoughts from those with more chicken experience.
Is there a vitamin I can give her? Is she just sick and tired of being cooped up? (its deep winter here)
She let my daughter pet her (on her lap) for an hour last week, without trying to get off... seemed to me to be unusual behaviour....
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