RIR question....

TexiCaliBlues

Songster
Jun 29, 2018
52
155
127
Taylor, TX
Hello BYC members!! It's been a minute since I posted.. but I'm puzzled about something and thought I would turn to the community for a little wisdom. We recently acquired 3 beautiful mature RIR hens. I don't know their exact age, we get approx 1 egg a day from the 3(total, not each) and it's been this way since they came to live with us about 4-5 months ago.
One of the chickens has had runny poo off and on since she came to us, usually greenish in color. She also has a bit of a floppy comb, and likes to sit in one spot and nap often. She eats normal, drinks normal, will mill around the yard with the other 2... They are much more enthusiastic about their "play" than she is, but nothing that would cause alarm. She doesn't seem as interested in treats as the other 2, though she used to be just as excited as them when they knew it was coming. I have checked her belly and rear end, no hard spot and no obvious sign of discomfort, or bad she'll from her break, also no discharge from anywhere. Her feathers are not gross from the poo, and her comb is bright red, though her face is a bit more pale than the other 2... But again, not enough to be alarming on it's own. I guess my question is, am I too naive to notice something really is wrong with her and should be doing something I'm not... Or is this all typical stuff that I should just keep an eye on? Any and all above is appreciated! I attached a couple of pictures of her, and get sisters, below.
 

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It's possible it's her nature to be "laid back" since she's been that way from the start. As for her poo, she could be a messy pooper, I've had Wyandottes with the same messy issue. You could trim back the feathering in that area, keep it clean. Have you noticed any weight loss? You could get a fecal done to check for worms.
 
You could get a fecal done to check for worms.
...and check for external parasites too.

My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

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.

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
 
Those are not RIR's. those look like a hybrid, like a red star or cinnamon queen. Rir's have a little black in their feathers, not white! You girls all look quite lovely and healthy, I wouldn't worry. 😄
This is a Rhode Island Red hen:

Rhode Island Red.jpg


This is one of my Red Stars:

Red Star.jpg
 

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