sick hen

[livinginanhoa]

A couple of weeks back my hen stopped laying. Then i noticed that most of the day she would just lay down..She has free range of the back yard and she would still coop up at night.She is by herself , has been for a year or so. I've check her crull and stomach all seemed ok.. oh and she is pulling out feathers like crazy.. Any help would be most appreciated..

 

[livinginanhoa]

Get her a friend!!!

After her sister died 2 years ago I tried she almost killed them. she has been byherself for half her life

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to BYC!
Try a see but don't touch method when introducing her to some friends.....
Best of luck!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[alexa009]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens! We are glad you joined the flock! BYC is a helpful site providing all the information you need to know about poultry! There is always space for more members on the BYC roost! Chickens do need socialization or else will be very lonely. Please get more than one hen (not pullet) so it reduces her chances of being top of the pecking order. Also, try to provide places for them to get away such as roosting bars, etc.. Hope you enjoy it here as much as we all do!

 

[BlueBaby]

Welcome to BYC! Good luck with your hen!

 

[N F C]

You might try posting about your situation over on the ER thread to see if others can give you an opinion of what might be ailing her:
Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures

Best of luck to you and your girl!

 

[rebrascora]

Hi and welcome

It sounds like she is moulting which is a normal seasonal occurrence with adult hens at this time of year. Some birds hardly seem to notice and others take it quite badly and act a bit depressed and even go off their food. They often enjoy a treat of greens like cabbage and spinach more at this time and it is perfectly normal for egg production to stop as they cannot produce eggs and new feathers.

I agree with the others that she would be best with the company of other chickens but integration has to be done slowly and carefully and you need the facilities to do it... ideally a separate coop and run adjacent to hers or her coop and run divided up if it is large enough to allow for that. It is perfectly normal that she will defend her territory and fight for pecking order but that doesn't mean that she would not be better of with other hens.