Sick? Broody? Or just Annoyed?

[ublyhunter]

Hello All! I need your opinions on something I have observed in the last 2 days with my Saphire Gem Hen. Sick? Broody? Or just Annoyed?

I'll start with what has changed:

On Saturday morning I did introduce 6 new hens to my flock of 12. (New hens are 11 weeks old) Now 18 chickens (1 Rooster)
I started with the normal separation and after the weekend they are all getting along for the most part.

On Sunday I noticed my one sapphire gem had diarrhea (really moist on the butt feathers) figured no big deal they get watery poop now and then.

Sunday Night- When I went to lock up the birds Sunday night I had one bird missing. She was in my barn 40 feet from my coop sitting in a nesting box that I have in there. Lifted her up in the dark (no eggs) - I placed her in the coop and locked the door.
Monday Night - A few hours before dark she goes back in the barn in the nesting box. No eggs
Tuesday Night - Came home from work today while all the other birds were free ranging and she is in the barn again in the box, no eggs. Still a few hours before sun down.

Took her out she was walking fine and feeding with the other birds Still a good case of yellowish mucus type diarrhea. After 20 minutes she went right back into the barn. No Eggs in the box

Her breast and gizzard area felt kinda hard but I need to check other birds to do a comparison.

Soooo:
Is she Sick? Broody? Or just annoyed at the new addition of hens and taking a time out. I am guessing sick or Broody?

Your thoughts? Thank You!!

 

[Fluffnut]

I don't think she'd be in the nesting box with no eggs if she was broody.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Broodys tend to show what I call "big" behavior. The broody hen will walk around for about a week all fluffed up to where she looks huge(hence the term "big"). After about a week she will finally sit and stay on the eggs. If you were to reach in there to try and pet her, she will either peck at you or become "big". Is she showing any of this behavior? If not, she might have an illness.

 

[Perris]

I started with the normal separation

what does that mean? did you quarantine? if so for how long? perhaps one of the new birds brought in something her system is not familiar with?

 

[ublyhunter]

I had them locked up in a cage for them to see the new flock for a few days then let them out to free range together. They did mix in together after a few days. A little rustling after bed time but they seem to be ok. The sapphire gem still has light yellow really runny poop. Still going back to that nesting box to be away from everyone. She eats but is still really keeping to herself. No issues on the comb. Her eyes look fine.

 

[ublyhunter]

I did some more research and checked her out. I think she has sour crop. Impacted Crop.

 

[Perris]

OK, good luck with that.
A couple of days in a separate cage is OK for integration, but that isn't quarantine. You are risking bringing in potentially fatal and in any case avoidable disease or parasites to your land and your flock with every new bird. Ask someone who's lost a flock or had to disinfect everything after such an accident. In future you might want to keep them isolated for at least 2 weeks for any issues to show before letting them share space with your existing flock. I use a shed for such.

 

[ublyhunter]

Still on the sour crop. Trying everything I have learned on the forum. Definetly sour crop

 

[ublyhunter]

Still on the sour crop. Trying everything I have learned on the forum. Definetly sour crop

Unfortunetly, she died today

On a positive note it was a blessing today watching my other 20 birds free ranging and enjoying a touch of spring. Although it's snowing now in Michigan, haha

I love my chickens. My chickens keep my life balanced between, my kids sports activities, a busy LAB dog, work schedule and everything in between!

 

[Spudsnsalsa]

Unfortunetly, she died today

So sorry for your loss!