NEED HELP!! My hen is acting unusual!

[alinas2010]

You should be able to do it that way. At least, that's how I did. I'm assuming the video's on your phone? Download, the YT app, log in, and there should be a + symbol at the bottom center for uploading content. Once it's complete, share the link.

Oh my gosh, I somehow missed a bunch of comments that already explained this. Sorry!

Extra help is better than no help!!

 

[thecatumbrella]

Extra help is better than no help!!

You're very kind. I get annoyed by people that don't listen well and then repeat what someone just said, so I'm going to tuck tail and head back into my hole. Kind of. Still watching this thread to learn.

@chicken tender lady, I hope your girl feels better soon!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm the worst at this. At my age (yes I'm playing the age card!) I can't seem to hold an idea in my head for more than about 16 seconds.

 

[chicken tender lady]

You’re very welcome Try comparing her abdomen to another hens and see if it is bulgy or feels like a water ballon at all. What I’m getting at is that sometimes reproductive issues can cause fluid or pus to build up inside the abdomen and that will put pressure on internal structures. Sometimes there are tumors, also that can do this. If any of this putting pressure on a nerve that goes to her legs, it could make them have leg weakness. The same situation can be seen in cases of egg binding when an egg stuck in a certain spot will put pressure on a nerve and cause leg weakness.

Have you noticed her feathers falling out or pin feathers coming in? That can be in line with molting if she’s stopped laying eggs. She might feel puny and want to isolate bc of that.

Is she being kept from food and water by the others resulting weakness? Is she eating? Try to make a mash out of her chicken feed using water. A lot of chickens find that really interesting. Mine think it’s a treat.

What about lice and mites? Any sign of those? They will suck life out of a hen fast. Check warm spots like under her wings and near her vent feathers. Try looking again tonight at dark with a flashlight.

I did feel her abdomen awhile ago it felt okay no bulging! I will try to compare with my other hens. That's a good tip! That makes sense! If it's egg binding is there any cure or treatment for that? Also I did find another blue soft shell egg. I do think it's hers because my easter eager layed a viable eggs this morning. So process of elimination would point to Summer. Like I said before I only have two hens in my flock that lay blue eggs. The rest lay brown eggs.

I don't really notice her molting? I know other hens in my flock are though! Tis the season! Also my egg production has dropped! Which is normal when their molting!

She's definitely still eating and drinking! Which is good. It seems for the most part she's not being kept fron the others on the food and water. Which is good. I could try wet lay mash! I have done that in the past when my hens aren't feeling good or dealing with an ailment! I've also served it to the rest of my flock and your right they love it!

I have been checking for mites and lice on all of my flock! So far I haven't seen any mites or lice on any of my hens! Although I haven't checked under her or the other hens. I will check today. I will also check at night to see if I see anything. Thank you for all the friendly advice! I will try to post the videos soon!

 

[alinas2010]

I did feel her abdomen awhile ago it felt okay no bulging! I will try to compare with my other hens. That's a good tip! That makes sense! If it's egg binding is there any cure or treatment for that? Also I did find another blue soft shell egg. I do think it's hers because my easter eager layed a viable eggs this morning. So process of elimination would point to Summer. Like I said before I only have two hens in my flock that lay blue eggs. The rest lay brown eggs.

I don't really notice her molting? I know other hens in my flock are though! Tis the season! Also my egg production has dropped! Which is normal when their molting!

She's definitely still eating and drinking! Which is good. It seems for the most part she's not being kept fron the others on the food and water. Which is good. I could try wet lay mash! I have done that in the past when my hens aren't feeling good or dealing with an ailment! I've also served it to the rest of my flock and your right they love it!

I have been checking for mites and lice on all of my flock! So far I haven't seen any mites or lice on any of my hens! Although I haven't checked under her or the other hens. I will check today. I will also check at night to see if I see anything. Thank you for all the friendly advice! I will try to post the videos soon!

For egg binding 300-600mg of calcium citrate plus d3. Per day for no longer than 7 days. This isn’t a bad idea to give her a dose now since she’s been laying soft eggs. Do they get oyster shell free choice?

She could be getting ready to molt and going through a reset. Sometimes my hens will get crop issues or start laying wonky for a few weeks before they molt. It’s as if the stress of getting ready to molt can cause some issues to pop up. I know that doesn’t really explain the instability. I hope she is just going through something temporary and will pull out of it. You might try getting some vitamins into her if you haven’t already. Perhaps B vitamins particularly, they can help support nerve function.

 

[chicken tender lady]

Please see videos of Summer here:

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Some hens go through a "soft molt." You may not see bald spots on them, but you do see "feathers, feathers, everywhere!" Especially soft, small, down feathers. Your hen may be going through that kind of a molt. It can still be a bit stressful on them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She does seem just a bit gimpy. Have you checked the bottoms of her feet, esp that right foot?

 

[thecatumbrella]

She does seem just a bit gimpy. Have you checked the bottoms of her feet, esp that right foot?

Agreed.

This is a bit of a long shot, but one of mine had a slight limp and was inclined to rest more than the others. Turned out she had a bad toenail. It eventually ripped out on its own, and she's been a new bird ever since.

Obviously, bumblefoot is the primary concern.

 

[alinas2010]

I agree with the others, it looks like she may have injured herself somehow.

Along with checking bottoms of her feet, gingerly feel up and down her legs if you have already. Look for swelling, bruising and lumps/bumps out of place.