my pet chicken suddenly lethargic and stays in nest.

[DNCAUDILL]

My pet chicken stats: 9mths old laying 1 egg a day, running, eating, friendly, pooping, all good then next day lazy,not eating, not pooping, stays in nest no eggs. I got her up and moving then she pooped really big. 3 days very little eating when offered and big pooping when put out of her nest. no eggs. put some bird antibiotic in her water as recommended by vet. SHe is better but not good I am at a loss as to how to help her. What is brooding and what about eggs that are stuck? I am new at this so spell it out.

 

[Chickenaddict]

Sounds like she has gone broody maybe? If she is pooping very big poops and doesn't want to get off the nest that could be whats wrong with her. Does she poof out and growl or make strange noises when you take her off the nest?


Edited to add: If she is broody than the antibiotics aren't nessesary, sometimes they can do more harm than good. I try not to use them at all unless its vital

 

[DNCAUDILL]

no she will still sit quietly on my knee then jump down into the yard and just sit there until i make her get up. she will lay her head over and act like a duck when they sleep. But if i startle her and make her walk around she will then go and eat her food and drink her water but not much, then she just sits. Last week she was up in her tree and coming to greet us and trying to get into our fruit bowl and being normal. but this week is not normal.

thanks on the tip about the meds.
Also, I said that word wrong. broody not brooding. What is broody?
Is she lonesome? Vet said it could be anything. But theres no blood any where, no lost feathers, no swollen places, or abnormalities She does not get around other chickens,is not cooped up in small pen. the only thing she did once peck my small gold ball earring out of my ear and eat it. looking for answers other than the vet from experienced persons

 

[Chickenaddict]

Broody means she wants nothing more than to be a mother hen, if you are in the position to let her hatch some fertile eggs try setting a few under her and see if she accepts them

 

[Chickenaddict]

If her droppings are normal but huge that indicated broodiness to me seeing as she has no other symptoms of being ill. Try the egg thing just to see if she will set, if she does than you have a broody hen

 

[birdlover]

Hi and welcome!!!

First, know that chickens are flock animals and do better with a friend or two. I would recommend you getting her one or two companions. It does sound like she could be broody. Most broodies will sit on air if you take their eggs and they eat and drink very little. Their poops are huge and smelly because they hold it in and just poop once or twice a day. Does she have a nest box to lay eggs? If not, it is probably difficult for her to sort out the whole process, especially if this is her first time. How old is she? What breed is she? Does she roost in a tree at night or do you have a coop for her?

On the other hand, she could be sick. See what others have to say.

 

[seismic wonder2]

brooding is the act of being broody.
They go through a hormonal change that makes them want to sit and hatch eggs, nothing else matters. Mine get mean and try to peck at me when they are broody and don't want to be disturbed.

They will get up two or three times a day to stretch, eat, poo, drink, then hop back in the nest ASAP.
Broody hen poo is the most foul smelling and really HUGE...

Mine will go broody after a certain amount of eggs. It dosn't matter if they have eggs to sit on or not.
I have silkies, they are really broody and go down at the drop of a hat. They stay broody for a fewweeks, give up, and come out to play.

Some people "break" them or stop the broodieness but it's sort of a pain so I just let them go. It gives me a few weeks to get things done where I wouldn't want my chickens getting in the way.

 

[DNCAUDILL]

Thank you so much, I will try all of that and yes she has a nest and an acre of land and we keep the nest dry and warm and clean since it is in the garage/ laundry room. I will keep you updated. Sounds like you have got the right notion. thanks again d.

don't know what kind she is...rescue from hiway. was a chick. big and black no distinquishing things. just black feathers and yellow beak. ??