Sick Hen Don't know why

[chevydmax04]

I have a Orpington Hen, she is about 1 year old and I was just down in the coop checkin on them when I noticed her lying on the floor on her side with her head at a weird angle. I stood her up and she went in circles, I don't know maybe they had an early X-mas party that I was unaware of and she is still a little hung over. Little history, I have 11 birds in a 12x12 coop, they have been confined for the 98% of the time over the last 5 weeks due to bitter cold and obscene amounts of snow. I was shoveling snow out of the run area and it is 6' deep where it has drifted and an average 4' everywhere else. Everyone else is fine, they have started laying their eggs outside of the nesting boxes in the last week or so. I think they are suffering from cabin fever, but the Orp has something else going on. One last item the coop is insulated and heated for their comfort.Thanks for your helpSteve

 

[peeboo]

Sorry i dont know and i wish i could be a better help. Could she be dehydrated? do u keep water in the chicken coop? i'm sorry, at least it's a bump

 

[#1California Chick]

Look under Coop Construction. I think that your coop might be a little small for that many chickens, especially if they have been cooped up for that long.

Or may she is just hung over!

 

[silkiechicken]

Could she have gotten a bad bump on the head thus brain damage? Not uncommon for head injuries to occur in birds.

 

[chookee]

a crowded coop & other jumped & bumped her...hope not more than mild concussion??? could be anything though, need more info

 

[Mahonri]

Could be an infection?

See if she'll drink some water...

 

[ddeans]

Bump

 

[chevydmax04]

ok I have had two people state that I may have my coop overcrowded, I have 144 sqft for floor space in the coop and 11 chickens, that equals 13 sqft per bird. Everyewhere I read I have found 3-4 sqft per bird. Is my coop overcrowded?? What are other people doing for sqft per bird?

 

[OrpingtonManor]

I have 35 sq ft of floor for 4 birds. I also thought 3-4 sq ft per bird. You have more per bird than I do. I don't think this is your problem.


Good luck.

 

[silkiechicken]

The "rule" is 4 sq inside space and 10 sq feet outside space. However, it's just a guideline and some say it's plenty, some say its not enough.

Your coop sounds fine. Still don't know what's up with the hen though.