We have one hen that looks in bad shape. She has lost at least 50% of her feathers. This hen brooded for a long time and did a poor job. One egg hatched but we found the chick dead. Nothing else hatched so she just sat there for 6 weeks. In the end, we had to force her out, take the eggs, and block off the area. It's likely she didn't eat well during that time and has also had a hard time reintegrating with the flock. She gets picked on by one rooster and a few hens so she's permanently skittish and can never just chill out. She's last one out of the run when I let them out as she's hiding in a corner and has to run the gauntlet past the rooster who's lying in wait. And last one back in the run when I herd them in in the evening. She really doesn't want to go back in. Is the feather loss from crazy anxiety, maybe mixed in with some malnutrition? Although it's been a few weeks since we put a stop to the brooding.
Should I think about separating her? Not sure where I'd put her but I could build something I guess. Any ideas or advice?
Thanks!
Should I think about separating her? Not sure where I'd put her but I could build something I guess. Any ideas or advice?
Thanks!