PLEASE HELP- I think my hen is sick

[KellyKelly]

Hi, I have a hen Audrey, she is approx. 2yrs old. I'm not sure what type of chicken she is, I got her from the battery farm. She has been great and very happy up until the other day. She did not want to come out of her coup, which is very unlike her, she was reluctant to eat, scratch around etc. and has not laid an egg. The 1st night I brought her inside in a box, after only 5 mins she was out of the box pecking around like she was fine. Yesterday morning she was back to being strange, when I got home from work she was ok again but very crazy like though, darting here and there, trying to fly over the fence! Then this morning she was back in her box all fluffed up, still no egg. I fund some info on egg bound hens and I gave her a warm soapy bath. She loved the bath! I could not see an egg and she didn't seem swollen (I'm no pro at this so I'm not that sure) I dried her off and after one huge poop, she went back out into the yard to eat/drink and scratch around. She did for a few minutes, but as soon as she could get back into the coup and up into her nest box she did. It's very unlike her not to be ruling the backyard. Can anyone help me? I don't think I could do anything involving a glove

Should I take her to a vet?

 

[lalaland]

could be she is broody- believe it or not, a hen who goes broody (wants to hatch eggs) won't care whether there is an egg in the nest or not. If she is eating and pooping fine, that's probably what is going on. Try to kick her out of the nest as much as you can, divert her attention with scattered treats, etc. It will likely pass in a couple of days.

 

[canada-goose]

She might be broody. That or eggbound. Puzzling.

 

[lalaland]

also forgot to add, hens are a social animal and will supposedly be much happier with at least one pal!

 

[KellyKelly]

Thanks everyone for the super fast responses!

I'm going to get her out now, she loves corn so I'll try to coax her to stay out with that. Regarding a gf for her, I'll have to try and talk my hubby into that one

Thanks again!!