Pullet acting strange, is she sick???

[Just Because]

In the past few days I have noticed one of my girls behaving a little odd. During the day she keeps finding a secluded spot and just sits there for up to an hour and also at night, she has decided to sit under the roost instead of on it. The number of eggs she has laid has dropped off in this last week or so too.

The weather is getting cooler where I am at the moment but its still warm (I am in the tropics) and none of my other lovely ladies seem affected. She is still eating as normal, getting fresh water every day her eyes are bright and comb healthy red. I also checked for any external parasites and couldn't find any and dissected some of her poop in case there was any worms. I'm lost as to what has caused her to act so strange all of a sudden. Any ideas as to why her behaviour has changed would mean a lot.

 

[CMV]

Is she broody?

 

[Just Because]

I wouldn't say so. She is still laying, and she doesn't fluff up when she is on the nest like the others do when they're broody.the secluded spots she finds for herself aren't exactly very well concealed ones or dark either. It's mainly the sleeping under the roost that is worrying me most. I can't tell whether its because she finds it more comfortable or whether she cant get up there and its not much higher than 30cm.

 

[CMV]

To really be certain she doesn't have worms you would need to have your vet check her droppings. A vet can do a fecal count and establish if she has a heavy worm load or not. There are a lot of nasties that are not visible to the naked eye. She may well be riddled with worms, but you can't see them.

 

[Just Because]

Hmmm good point. I think I might see if there is any other way to resolve a potential worm infestation without going to the vet. The one in my area is very expensive and if it is something I can solve myself, then I'd prefer to do that. But certainly, if she doesn't fix up soon I might not have a choice

 

[Just Because]

Good news

She has stopped sleeping on the floor at night and she hasn't just wandered off by herself in a while...

I think I know what may have been the problem too...I changed the waterer because the other one had cracked on the bottom and dirt was getting in as the water leaked out. i noticed it when the water went green even though i had just 2 days before filled it so I think maybe something in the soil may have given her something that made her fell under the weather.

Thanks for your input, it was muchly appreciated

 

[CMV]

I am glad to hear she is perking up. Good luck with her.