Sick hen. How do I know what's wrong?

[meekasmom]

This morning my Henny Penny wouldn't come out of her coop. She was on the roost and when I checked later, she's in the nest box. I noticed she has diarrhea. She free ranges and was fine yesterday and layed on egg. Should I worry yet? Any suggestions? I only have 2 hens and they are my pets.

 

[pawsplus]

Well, I would. Mine are pets, too, and I don't take risks. Chickens are generally very hardy animals so if they are behaving abnormally, something is wrong. I would go to the vet (good avian vet) if it were me.

 

[Young Heritage]

Could be getting ready to go broody too. I would keep an eye on the runny poop though. Do you keep food in the coop at all times since you free range? If not the hen may be going broody and will not come out to eat and that can make the poop runny too.

 

[LuvMyBLR]

I saw something about mixing a little bit of oats in the feed for runny poop. Maybe you could try that just for her.