Hi! I have 7 chickens... The four younger ones are separated from the three older ones cause the younger ones aren't old enough to live with the hens.... So really I have three hens in one coop. My one hen, Buttermilk, is a big talker, she is always moving and quick to get out the door of the coop. If there is a little one in her way she chases it off. She keeps up with the other two hens, and carries herself very regally. She is around three years old, if not almost three. She is a New Hampshire Red. She is also a great layer, consistently lays large eggs every day on a regular basis. This morning it was dreary and lightly raining, but the hens wanted to come out anyways. Butter was a bit slower than usual, but I didn't really think about it... So this afternoon I went out to let them out and collect eggs. I opened the door and Snap and Bisquick (the other two hens) come flooding out as usual. But Buttermilk hangs back. I take a few steps away from the door because my chickens are polite and normally wait for the other person to go...
Well she finally made it out of the coop and she is soooooooo sloooooooow. I watched her poop, and it looked fine and she pooped with no trouble at all! She hasn't laid an egg yet today though. So as I was observing her, something just wasn't right. I called them for treats, and she came-- but slowly. When I did give them the treats, she only ate on piece of the cat food while the others were horking it down. She is very lethargic, not moving much, and it looks like she is sort of stiff. She was fine this morning though! I don't know what to do with her! I lost my only bantam in January, and I really don't want to lose another anytime soon. I'll try to post a video of her later... Thanks in advance-- chickencrazy429
I don't have a wire cage.... should I give her a warm bath, though? I have a big mudroom sink...
