Odd Behavior

[TexasMel]

Okay I wasn't sure where to post this. But I have some Rhode Island white chickens. There are seven of them. At night they are in the coop then first thing in the morning I open the coop, give them fresh food and water and they have the run for the day until the sun sets and I put them back in the coop for the night.

Usually when I open the door they all come out. Or if not all, the ones who stay behind will eventually make their way out in their own good time.

Except for one hen. She will sit in that coop all day long, panting in the sun, not getting a drink of water or seeking out shade.

I've tried getting her out of the coop. She'll go grab a drink, run back into the coop and just sit there, panting.

Is there something wrong with her? I feel funny asking but also don't really want to have to go out and move her around to make sure she gets the water and shade she needs.

I want to try some tests this evening and make sure she can actually see.

Otherwise I guess I could put water both in and out of the coop during the day, but would have to buy another waterer.

I feel silly asking about this but if it's an issue someone is familiar with and I can help her...

TIA!

 

[Uniontown Poultry]

Any chance that the hen is broody? Does she puff up or cluck or try and peck you? If she is a broody hen, she won't leave that nest except to eat & drink (and only a little of this) and poop (a big one, and very stinky). You may never see her do these things. I have a broody hen right now who I have not seen leave the nest for a solid week. Others have told me they saw her out of the coop for a few minutes. Broodies have slow metabolism - they want to be mommies so badly, their hormones hijack their whole body. If your hen's problem is broodiness, you can leave her be & she'll snap out of it on her own in a few weeks, or you can put her in a cage with a wire bottom for a few days, so her belly is exposed to cool air - this should bring her back to her old self in 3 - 5 days.

 

[TexasMel]

I hadn't even thought of that. I'll bet you were right! Yesterday morning she went back to normal and has been fine ever since. Thank goodness! I was really worried she was sick or something. Thank you!