Sudden behavior change and patchy feathers

[LindaO]

Noticed a sudden behavior change in one of my red star hens. She is normally noisy, active, curious, and assertive (pecks). I had them shut in the coop for a couple days due to cold temperatures. When I checked on them she hung back, and later when I let them into the run, she peeked out the door but did not come out with the others.

That was about 3 wks ago. She has since perked up a bit, but is still unusually cautious. Her feathers appear less full, more patchy. Vent area bare of feathers, although that was the case back in the fall. My black star hard molts every year in late fall, it does not look like that.

Egg laying has ceased since the behavior change. Meanwhile my other three chickens are each laying an egg a day. They are all the same age.

 

[Byrd gal]

My first thought is to check for mites. They are hard to spot sometimes. Unless she really got beat up on lockdown and is super stressed. Where is she on the pecking order?

 

[LindaO]

My first thought is to check for mites. They are hard to spot sometimes. Unless she really got beat up on lockdown and is super stressed. Where is she on the pecking order?

Top of the pecking order. At least she was, not so sure now. Thanks for the tip, I will take a closer look.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Is she sitting on a nest?

 

[aart]

Unless she really got beat up on lockdown and is super stressed.

That's my first thought.
How big is your coop?

 

[LindaO]

Good news... I picked her up to investigate a new bare patch on her neck this morning and what at first looked like broken off feathers, and discovered... new pin feathers!