Sad Chickens

[HenHouse2015]

Ok! A positive update for all interested! My husband got home from work and we decided, since the chickens are in love with him lol, that he be the one to move her. Well he reached under her and there were 3 eggs! I think she was turning broody... We moved her away from them and picked them up, she is walking around perfectly fine, dusting and happy. She has no puncture wounds that we can see but noticed that there are feathers missing from her neck as well. Her tail feathers are already regrowing, and she did a huge nasty poop that I stepped in as I was following her. I think this was her first poop in days. But she and her sister are happily walking around and enjoying this late summer afternoon. Whatever was going on, whether she was overcoming some traumatic experience physically and/or mentally or becoming broody or all of the above...she is acting herself now, actually acting energetic. Thank you to all of you who helped me understand her a little more. This is our first bunch of chickens and we love them so much. Now we will have to make sure she is broken of this broody habit!

 

[mobius]

Haha she broody, thank goodness! I have a Constant Broody, she is sitting on a nest of unfert eggs at the moment. I just decided to let her go with it this time. Silkies are notorious of course. good luck in breaking her, I was advised a WEEK in the cage, not three days. YCMV.

 

[Chickassan]

I'm so glad, always love a happy ending.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm glad you were able to examine her more closely. Keep watch on her, but it does sound like she is broody.

If your eggs are not fertile, it may be best to break her of her broodiness.
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/05/broody-breaker-when-hens-mood-to-hatch.html

 

[Cntry1958]

I am so glad she is ok. I was waiting on word she had passed from you anytime as you described what happen. I thought maybe the shock of seeing the fox back ended up killing her. But when you said there was EGGS I yelled yes she's ok. LOL granddaughter that's 12 just looked at me like I was a nut. hehehe but I love happy endings.

 

[LadyCluck77]

Oh good! Maybe she decided to try and help add more chooks to the flock by hatching some out...

The foxes still give me pause, though. It is said they are one of the most clever and capable predators. It might be a good time to pick up a rooster, but an electric poultry fence would also be a great investment.

 

[lazy gardener]

A roo will do nothing against a fox, unless he is the first one to get picked off.