Strange Hen Behaviors in the Beginning of Spring -- Broodies?

[Goofy Chick]

I have recently joined BYC, and actually made a thread on the "Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures" section on the fourm-- and I hope it wasn't against the rules to post another thread and again speak of the same hen.

I have 8-month old mille fleur d'uccle bantams who have started laying just in the past two weeks. One of them (who I named Fluffy Cheeks, as she is my only chick who has feathering around her face) began acting weird by not eating, staying lethargic and, on several occasions, going to sleep or wandering away from her flock. She has been like this for three or four days. Today, I had an hen (named Hadassah) who's repeatedly been beaten up on by the silver-laced Sebrights since her existence. Anyway, for a very long time, we have had a bond, as I pet her and don't try to peck her. Today, things changed. She ruffled her feathers, ignored me, and even thrashed when I attempted to pick her up. I'm going to tell you: Hadassah never does this.

So I'm beginning to wonder if my chickens are going broody? Any opinions, stories, or questions?

 

[Joshua G]

I have recently joined BYC, and actually made a thread on the "Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures" section on the fourm-- and I hope it wasn't against the rules to post another thread and again speak of the same hen.

I have 8-month old mille fleur d'uccle bantams who have started laying just in the past two weeks. One of them (who I named Fluffy Cheeks, as she is my only chick who has feathering around her face) began acting weird by not eating, staying lethargic and, on several occasions, going to sleep or wandering away from her flock. She has been like this for three or four days. Today, I had an hen (named Hadassah) who's repeatedly been beaten up on by the silver-laced Sebrights since her existence. Anyway, for a very long time, we have had a bond, as I pet her and don't try to peck her. Today, things changed. She ruffled her feathers, ignored me, and even thrashed when I attempted to pick her up. I'm going to tell you: Hadassah never does this.

So I'm beginning to wonder if my chickens are going broody? Any opinions, stories, or questions?

Hi, and welcome to BYC!
Does she act this way around her nest?

 

[Joshua G]

Does she sit on any eggs?

 

[pogmobum]

When they go broody they just lay eggs then sit on the nest and dont get up, this is my experience. I would be worried that the first hen you mentioned may have an impacted crop as shes gone off her food can you hold her and feel her neck for a large bump? The second hen im not sure maybe just an off day and ya its fine to post on different threads about the same situation wherever you think you may find help is good

 

[realsis]

Hi when they go broody most will sit and not leave the nest. Some will actually growl at you if you get near the nest. Have you noticed her sitting lately? If she's not sitting or nest building I doubt being broody is the reason for her behavior. When my birds went broody they sat on a empty nest and would barely leave to eat or drink or even poo. They will even hold their poo and do a big giant poo about once a day.pretty much nothing gets them off the nest and if physically removed they go right back to it. Some even pull out their chest feathers to be closer and able to feel the eggs better With their breast. Some line the nest with these feathers. I would try to physically remove my bird from the nest but she would go right back. She lost weight as well not being interested in eating as much. So if your bird is not sitting I'm not exactly sure why she would behave that way towards you unless she might see you as a member of her flock and is challenging your position in the flock? This is a guess. I know birds do see us as flock members and usually see us as the rooster. This is why hens will squat submissively for us. As for the first bird you mentioned, does she seem extra sleepy, puffed up, lethergic? You could quite possibly be dealing with coccidosis. Does she have ANY other symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, mucus, is her crop emptying as it should? If she check out and does not seem to have those other symptoms it could be cocci. Coccidosis CAN still be present without having bloody stool, in fact only a few strains cause bloody stool. Google search coccidosis and look at the symptoms keeping in mind bloody poo does NOT have to be present for them to have it!! After looking it up if you agree its quite possibly the reason for her illness you can treat with a medication called Amprollium brand names are Corid, or Amprol. It will kill all strains of cocci. You can find amprollium, corid, or Amprol at most farm stores. If you DO notice any wheezing while breathing (listen very closely) mucus, sneezing, coughing, swollen eyes ect. Then you would want to use a good antibotic geared for respiratory illness like Tylan50. You can find that at most farm stores. Dose would be large birds 1/2 cc small birds 1/4 cc given once a day for 5 to days into the breast muscle. I like injectable antibotics when they are ill because dose is much more consistent than water soluble antibotic because with water soluble the dose is contingent on amount drank and when they are ill they don't drink as much as usual so dose will not be very consistent. Also injectable gets into the blood faster. So give her a very good look over. Look listen and feel for symptoms. Based on her symptoms then you decide which course of treatment is necessary. I really hope this is helpful and wish you the best. And welcome to BYC!