Stiff, lethargic hen, is it arthritis?

[threeblueducks]

(Also I’m not sure if this is in the right place, please let me know if I should move it)

Cricket, one of my 4-year-old Brahma hens, has been acting lethargic lately, probably for the last couple months. She’s been just sitting around a significant amount of the time, and when she walks around she seems sort of stiff and slow.

I have seen her eating most mornings and drinking plenty, although tonight her crop was mostly empty (but i think that may be because the big coop door was blown shut, and she only uses that one because it has steps). She sleeps on the floor of the coop unless I put her up on a perch, so it seems like she doesn’t want to or can’t jump up well anymore.

I haven’t noticed a limp or bumblefoot, and she doesn’t have any wounds or other injuries that I’m aware of. Also, she definitely isn’t bullied, in fact, I think I could say that she’s the top hen. One other thing is that she has been a bit fluffed up lately, but it is probably due to the frigid weather that we’ve had lately.

So, is it possible that this could be arthritis? Or does anybody know of anything else that it might be?

Thanks. You guys on BYC have been so helpful, and this is by no means an emergency, but if she is in any way uncomfortable or in pain I want to be able to help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Has she laid eggs in a while? Is her lower belly under her vent enlarged or fuller? What do her poops look like? Pictures are welcome. How do her feet and legs appear? Is there any swelling? I wonder if she is suffering from a common reproductive disorder, and is sore, preferring to lie down and rest.