Some odd behavioral changes - possibly egg bound?

[mac853]

Cant really see anything in the pics, other than possibly poopy butt feathers.
Would be good to trim off the poopy feathers and get a good look back there.

Don't bother treating for mites/lice unless you see them.
Using pesticides preventatively can create resistance.
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?
-Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.
-Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.
-Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.
-Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).
-Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008


What all and how exactly are you feeding?

This is what I do when I have a bird that is acting off....
I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor:
-their intake of food and water,
-crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed),
-and their poops.
Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling.
Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.

Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.




...and finally Welcome to BYC! @mac853
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3128206

we feed them regular chicken feed (can't recall the exact percentage but it's what's recommended for their age), bugs, suet and they get greens (turnip greens, spinach etc). She doesn't have a prolapsed vent and her crop seems to be functioning fine. We did put some DE in their dust bath two days ago but no difference seems to be happening. (she is a little more active right now)

 

[mac853]

Your pictures are not very clear.
Is she dirty or is all that darkness lice eggs?

What exactly do you feed your birds on a daily basis?
You have any idea when the last time she laid an egg was?

We think it's dirt and poop but her feathers are turning gray in some places especially by her butt. That's my main confusion. We feed them regular chicken food, grit, greens, suet and bugs.
Not sure when she laid an egg, it's hard to keep track of who-lays-what-when

 

[aart]

we feed them regular chicken feed (can't recall the exact percentage but it's what's recommended for their age), bugs, suet and they get greens (turnip greens, spinach etc).

Cut all out but the chicken feed for a couple weeks.
Check her thoroughly for bugs as I described.
Wash or trim the poopy feathers off her butt.

 

[mac853]

Cut all out but the chicken feed for a couple weeks.
Check her thoroughly for bugs as I described.
Wash or trim the poopy feathers off her butt.

why cut out all but the feed?

 

[aart]

why cut out all but the feed?

To eliminate those other things from being the cause of loose poops.

 

[Nanna Jo]

I have diatomaceous earth - should we try that before the Scalex gets here?

Hi sweetie, I highly recommend diatomaceous earth. I was very new to chicken but learnt so much from Lisa, the egg lady. I literally made a bath tub for them with the earth in, they loved it. Then i covered them from head to toe just mind their eyes. Then liberally put the earth with your bedding and clean your coop with the earth. Bit of a job but we'll worth it. I even leave some earth in my nesting box. Good luck sweetheart x