Peculiar Behavior

[Waddlemyway]

We have 12 hens and a rooster where 7 were raised together and then introduced to our original flock of 6. They pretty much have gotten along well, until recently. All of a sudden we noticed not even a week ago that one of our hens (who has never posed any problems or caused any problems) has been fluffing up every time she comes around another in the flock. Originally she was attacking the rooster and shaking her head where we thought maybe she was having egg issues (no evidence after thoroughly checking), but then we thought she just did not want the rooster mating with her so she was just warding him off. We also treated her with some respiratory natural medicine just in case that was a factor. Now she is almost constantly fluffed up and missing some feathers under her wing. We checked to make sure that there is no skin condition going on, which there were no signs. Today we decided to separate her because others in the flock were starting to attack her, which is really unusual. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ambergds]

I had similar symptoms in one of my hens after introducing some new hens to the flock. She was all puffed up, poop looked runny and she was lethargic. I took a stool sample to my vet and they found coccidiosis. The new hens brought a new strain in that mine weren't yet ammune too. I treated with corid and she got better.
Do you have a vet you can send a stool sample too? Or do you think this is more behavioral?
My other thought was if she could be going broody? Is she spending a lot of time in the nest box?

 

[Waddlemyway]

The flock has been together for about 8 months now. Most of our chicks other than 1 (who we have had for 2 years) were vaccinated because we ordered them through a company. They are all now grown and laying. We do have a vet, but nothing physically seems wrong with her. However, I just was told she is starting to squawk all the time (husband just informed she was doing this) apparently she was doing this at just the other chickens, but now she is doing almost constantly. No, she usually just goes in and then comes out when she is done. She laid down the first day we noticed this odd behavior outside so that's why we checked for egg binding, but researching and feeling where you would be able to tell there were no signs that she is having issues. The main problems are the squawking, puffed up and the sudden attack from the other chickens (no blood has been drawn). I am no expert we have only been raising chickens for about 3-4 years, but I cannot not understand this odd behavior.

BTW if it helps she is a Speckled Sussex hen that is doing this. I am not sure what their broodiness level is.

 

[ambergds]

Speckled Sussex are known for going broody. She would have plucked feathers from her breast, be spending a lot of time in the nest box and I would think she would be the one being aggressive to the other hens. It doesn't sound like that's the case. I hope someone's has more ideas for you. Please update with what you find. Good luck!