One of my hens, approximately 18-month-old Speckled Sussex, has been very reluctant to leave the nesting box since the afternoon/evening of 7/15. At first I thought she was broody since I've found her sitting on eggs everyday, refusing to move voluntarily, but I also noticed she was losing feathers. I know molting takes a lot of energy, and requires lots of protein, so I've been mixing Pecking Order 5 Grain Scratch into her 16% pellet feed, which I've been providing separately from the other hens. I'm also giving her a separate dish of water. She's not eating much, and she's drinking even less. Her comb and wattle are still bright red and look good, but she's not acting like herself.
Yesterday, I noticed she had green poop that was a little watery. Yesterday was the first time green poop has appeared: one regular amount and one small amount that was firmer.
When the other hens come around her in the nesting box, she puffs up, sticks her tail feathers in the air, lowers/recedes her head, and clucks at them as if to say, "Leave me alone!" in her sweet, quiet "hoarse" way (she's always sounded like this - so does her sister).
I have to force her out of the nesting box. When I do, she'll perch for a bit, walk around, scratch a little, etc., but she won't leave the enclosed area (I let my hens out to free range for a few hours each day). She almost left the enclosed area yesterday. She stood at the door with one foot on the threshold, thought about it, and turned and went right back into the coop.
She's walking fine when I force her out of the nesting box. She hopped on top of the coop yesterday where she rubbed her beak onto the asphalt roof a few times, walked around, fluttered and perched in various spots, and nibbled on her food a bit out of my hand only to hop back inside. She even took a short dirt bath, as I had the privilege of getting dusted right in the face when she shook off the excess.
Is she broody AND molting? Do I need to deworm her and the other hens? I'm at a loss as to what to do for her. I'm including pictures of the small bit of poop from yesterday. And, yes, I "played in it" with a stick after placing it on paper.
Thank you for any help/advice you can offer!
Yesterday, I noticed she had green poop that was a little watery. Yesterday was the first time green poop has appeared: one regular amount and one small amount that was firmer.
When the other hens come around her in the nesting box, she puffs up, sticks her tail feathers in the air, lowers/recedes her head, and clucks at them as if to say, "Leave me alone!" in her sweet, quiet "hoarse" way (she's always sounded like this - so does her sister).
I have to force her out of the nesting box. When I do, she'll perch for a bit, walk around, scratch a little, etc., but she won't leave the enclosed area (I let my hens out to free range for a few hours each day). She almost left the enclosed area yesterday. She stood at the door with one foot on the threshold, thought about it, and turned and went right back into the coop.
She's walking fine when I force her out of the nesting box. She hopped on top of the coop yesterday where she rubbed her beak onto the asphalt roof a few times, walked around, fluttered and perched in various spots, and nibbled on her food a bit out of my hand only to hop back inside. She even took a short dirt bath, as I had the privilege of getting dusted right in the face when she shook off the excess.
Is she broody AND molting? Do I need to deworm her and the other hens? I'm at a loss as to what to do for her. I'm including pictures of the small bit of poop from yesterday. And, yes, I "played in it" with a stick after placing it on paper.
Thank you for any help/advice you can offer!