What is going on? I'm worried.

[coolcanoechic]

The one that died was not laying eggs yet. The previous owner let them do what came naturally and did not provide extra light for winter. Laverne was a Rhode Island Red. She was full grown and 18 months old. I was giving them fresh water daily and laying mix. She ate normally and had access to three feeders and two drinkers at any time she wanted. Plenty for three birds.
When she started acting differently, she waited for the other two to have their treats before having some herself. Her last two nights, she wanted to sleep in the nesting box away from the others. I thought it was because Roxy was tormenting her. Now that Laverne is gone, Roxy wants to sleep in the nesting box. I'm not sure why, but I observed her today and she is acting normal and being a huge pig when the treats come. She can come out of the coop faster than I can put the treat tray on the ground.
Tonight she went straight for the nesting box instead of jumping up on the roost.
At this point, I think it is a behavior thing rather than an illness thing. I let them out when I got home and they had a grand time. They are not pecking at themselves or anything....some preening. Shirley is growing back some feathers right now. I think she had some baldness due to an over rambunctious rooster because she assumes the position at any movement near her.
They are getting scratch mixed with Boss for something to do during the day when I'm at work. I know they like it because the coop and run are turned upside down when I come home in the afternoon. Treats have been oatmeal and corn bread and cream of wheat. I tried yogurt with blueberries, but Laverne was the only one who liked it. As a matter of fact, it was her last treat before she died. They don't want the veggies I give them for treats....weird.
So anyway, Roxie has decided she likes the nesting box better. Maybe it is warmer in there or maybe she doesn't want to snuggle with Shirley anymore.
As for worming? I have not asked the previous owner. I will certainly do that tomorrow morning. If he says no, I will most likely be trying to get some info from you kind folks as I have not a clue what I am doing here.
I still am not sure if the birds are ready for me to grab them and start checking for lice and such. I am trying to win their confidence. Every day it gets a little better and they are getting more and more used to me. When they are ready, then I will give them a thouough inspection. I really want to win them over. I don't want to freak them out. They had little human contact before me.
Another thing to think about. On Laverne's last night, I blocked off the nesting box to keep her out. I put her up on the roost in the spot she always slept which was next to Roxie. Roxie pecked at her and I scolded Roxie a few times. At that point, Laverne was panting. I knew she was very stressed out. When Roxie pecked her again, I knocked Roxie down from the roost to show her I was the boss. She could only get back up on the other side which she was not used to. I felt better with Shirley in
between the two. A little while later Laverne jumped down. My hubby went out and checked on her and said she was breathing easier. I thought it was ok to let her sleep down there for the night. She was dead in the morning when I went out.

Does any of this info help?
Sorry if it is long.

 

[farmerChef]

At that point, Laverne was panting.

Its possible she couls have been trying to pass an egg. Some one on the Serama thread recently lost a pullet that laid her fist egg interanlly/was egg bound. I usually feed around dark when I get home from. Their work, and one night I had a hen that would keep getting back in the nest after I shooed her out. I figured maybe she was goin broody, well the next morning I found a huge double yolker in the nest she was in. When they fall asleep their muscles relax, then they can pass the egg, that's why sometimes you will find and egg under the roost.​

 

[coolcanoechic]

Quote:
Its possible she couls have been trying to pass an egg. Some one on the Serama thread recently lost a pullet that laid her fist egg interanlly/was egg bound. I usually feed around dark when I get home from. Their work, and one night I had a hen that would keep getting back in the nest after I shooed her out. I figured maybe she was goin broody, well the next morning I found a huge double yolker in the nest she was in. When they fall asleep their muscles relax, then they can pass the egg, that's why sometimes you will find and egg under the roost.

Should I watch Shirley to see if she poops? I didn't see her poop tonight.

 

[farmerChef]

Would be a good idea. You should search for egg bound online and how it treat. I think you put them in a warm bath to see it you can loosen up their muscles and pass the egg. Can you feel 2 hard lumps around her butt (one being the gizzard). I have not treated this before, but I have skimmed over some posts about it. Maybe you should repost in the emergancy thread with some pictures.

 

[coolcanoechic]

Quote:
I'll check both of them in the morning. Right now they are sleeping.

 

[roxyblue]

When ever one of my girls get sick, the others pick on her and try to avoid her as much as possible. Luckly most of mine have pulled through after being treated and now live in peace with their flock mates. I am sooooo sorry about your girl. I hate it when i have a death in the flock (really family)
-Roxy

 

[lcammack]

In my opinion I wouldn't worry about making friends with them if they look unwell, it would be better to get your hands on them so you can feel there weight and check for any bugs. They are so good at hiding illness that if you don't check today, tomorrow or next week might be to late. I hope it is just behavior and everything will work out. Sorry for the loss of your bird. That is so sad. Best of luck!

 

[elmo]

So, let me see if I understand. You only have these 3 birds that you just got recently, right?

Panting is often a sign of overheating, but that's strange this time of year. You don't have a heat lamp or anything in the coop, do you?

It's certainly possible that the deceased chicken had some kind of illness already when you got her. Egg binding or being an internal layer are also possibilities. At 18 months, a chicken will be laying already although she might be taking a breather during the winter time.

You might think about cutting back on treats until the remaining hens have a chance to get used to their new home. I'd just offer laying pellets or crumbles, fresh water, and maybe a small amount of scratch.

 

[JohnHenry]

When my hens first came to the coop they would sleep on the floor. I'd go in at night and pick them up and put them on the roost. Took about three days and they figured it out. Also, when one stayed in the laying box I'd grab her and put her on the roost, no problem. Have you tried removing her from the box?

 

[ruffles]

Hi, why do you have DE ?/ What is it used for?/