Puffed balled up hen

[Lauraadriana66]

Hello, I tried to search through all the threads, but I couldn’t find anything. My chickens are about a year old and recently for about two weeks, There is one hen that just sits away from the flock (only a few feet away) .. she’s slightly balled up, her neck slightly tucked, so it blends in with her body making her look like a ball. She seems happy, she eat and drinks her water. She has her eyes open all the time. But she stands up from the rest because of the shape and how she separates from the flock, although she does go inside the coop at night and she does walk around eventually with the flock … not sure if she’s preparing for winter (I’m in Utah) ?? of course, when I tried to take pictures, she wasnt as balled up as much as she usually is

 

[Stravager]

Hi! Is her crop emptying properly? Have you checked her for any signs of lice or mites?

 

[Lauraadriana66]

Hi! Is her crop emptying properly? Have you checked her for any signs of lice or mites?

Hey thank you , she seems just fine and her crop is normal. She runs away when I try to grab her, the rest of the flock (9 others) look ok and I just cleaned the coop not too long ago .. what would be some signs of lice/mites?

 

[Stravager]

Hey thank you , she seems just fine and her crop is normal. She runs away when I try to grab her, the rest of the flock (9 others) look ok and I just cleaned the coop not too long ago .. what would be some signs of lice/mites?

A pale comb, scraggly feathers, lethargy... Usually the best way to check is to get up close and inspect earlobes, vent, and wing "armpits" at the base of feathers.

 

[aart]

what would be some signs of lice/mites?

How to check for bugs:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[FrostRanger]

I would attempt to catch her and give her a through examination. When a chicken acts like that, there's usually something wrong. If you can't catch her during the day, you can wait until she goes to bed and grab her off the roost