Hello,
Ok basics first:
Melody is a black australorps and is a little over a year old. She had been a good layer, but has not been so regular lately. In addition, she seems to sit/lay down more, and her eyes aren't as clear as i think they should be. Also, her waddle seems paler to me.
Other factors:
Her original chick mates were killed by predators, and even though we got new younger hens to keep her company, for a couple of months she would only talk to me. She seemed to finally bond with the other male (our rooster) and female black australorps and seemed to be talking to them, and looked overall happier than she had been. Now that the younger hens have started laying eggs, she seems to have stopped, and seems lethargic and depressed? maybe?. Yesterday, I had to bring her inside to a) check her out or any obvious signs of illness/disease (did not see anything), and to clean her behind as it had gotten very clumpy and not the fluffy butt she should have. After all that was done, she didn't want to go, so (we were in the bathroom) I put the toilet seat down and just let her talk to me and I talked to her and gave her some one on one time and petting. Normally, she doesn't like to be picked up, but once in a while I guess she needs some lovings. She eats and drinks normally. My husband works at a country club, so he brings home leftover fruit from their buffet (otherwise it would be thrown in trash), and I give them yogurt on a regular basis for probiotics. She used to be the top one, but now, she seems to have dropped, but is still in the top 3. I call her group the Austrian Mafia, cause they all hung out. But now, she is laying around by herself.
Bottom Line:
Is she sick with something?
Ok basics first:
Melody is a black australorps and is a little over a year old. She had been a good layer, but has not been so regular lately. In addition, she seems to sit/lay down more, and her eyes aren't as clear as i think they should be. Also, her waddle seems paler to me.
Other factors:
Her original chick mates were killed by predators, and even though we got new younger hens to keep her company, for a couple of months she would only talk to me. She seemed to finally bond with the other male (our rooster) and female black australorps and seemed to be talking to them, and looked overall happier than she had been. Now that the younger hens have started laying eggs, she seems to have stopped, and seems lethargic and depressed? maybe?. Yesterday, I had to bring her inside to a) check her out or any obvious signs of illness/disease (did not see anything), and to clean her behind as it had gotten very clumpy and not the fluffy butt she should have. After all that was done, she didn't want to go, so (we were in the bathroom) I put the toilet seat down and just let her talk to me and I talked to her and gave her some one on one time and petting. Normally, she doesn't like to be picked up, but once in a while I guess she needs some lovings. She eats and drinks normally. My husband works at a country club, so he brings home leftover fruit from their buffet (otherwise it would be thrown in trash), and I give them yogurt on a regular basis for probiotics. She used to be the top one, but now, she seems to have dropped, but is still in the top 3. I call her group the Austrian Mafia, cause they all hung out. But now, she is laying around by herself.
Bottom Line:
Is she sick with something?
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