Poorly Hen

[Bluebellthebluebell]

Hello
I have a 3 year old hen who is a little off colour. She's walking around the coop but fluffed up and not eating. I've checked for the obvious things - crop, vent, mites etc and no obvious signs of anything wrong there. She hasn't laid for about a week now. Someone suggested a broad spectrum tonic. Does anyone have any thoughts on these kind of over the counter products. Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

Is her crop emptying overnight, or is it remaining full and firm or puffy in early morning? Is she eating and drinking and what do you feed? How does her poop look. Pictures of it and her would be helpful. If she could be egg bound, I would give her some human calcium with vitamin D or Tums 300-600 mg.

 

[Bluebellthebluebell]

She’s showing some interest in food but not eating much and her comb is floppy. Spends a lot of her day puffed up in the corner of the run but does move around a bit and I found her on op of the nest box yesterday so she is still agile. I’ll check her crop and poop this morning. They have a mixed blend which contains mash, pellets, corn and seed. Not a great Picture but I’ll get more today.
I should also say I’m in the UK so supplements etc may be a little different
Thank you for your advice

 

[Bluebellthebluebell]

Just had a good look again. Crop seems ok and she’s showing interest in food. She’s lost a lot of feathers on her breast and down to her vent but other girls don’t seem to be guilty of pecking. Hee vent area is a bit red and hot so am thinking infection or egg bound? Some more photos attached

 

[LaFleche]

She might just be broody.

 

[Australorpfamily]

She might just be broody.

I was going to suggest that too, sounds a bit broody

 

[Australorpfamily]

Our broodies always fluff up like giant balls of feathers, and if I don't break them fast enough, they'll pull feathers on their underside to be able to warm eggs better.

We (now) use a wire dog crate elevated on bricks with a 2*4 in for perch. Before we used dog panels(play pen style) to box them on.

 

[Eggcessive]

The bare patch could be a sign of bloodiness or wanting to sit on eggs, but usually they go into a nest box. With the ragged feathers, I would examine her for the presence of lice or mites. Corn and seeds do not have a balanced nutrition as chicken feed and mash have. I would try to see that she is eating some and drinking. Poop pictures can help sometimes. Calcium 300-600mg given orally could help her to lay an egg, if she is egg bound.

 

[Bluebellthebluebell]

I was going to suggest that too, sounds a bit broody

That crossed my mind too but slightly different behaviour to our previous broodies!
We’ll keep any eye on her
Thank you

 

[Australorpfamily]

That crossed my mind too but slightly different behaviour to our previous broodies!
We’ll keep any eye on her
Thank you

Coccidiosis? Our babies were hunched over similar. Not sure what types of medicine you have available? Worth a shot, since you said she was older ?