What is wrong with my hen?

[Angelwings]

my easter-egger hen, Cornflower hasn’t been acting herself lately. For one thing, she is usually the first to come for a treat but when I brought it out, she didn’t come and the other chickens ate it. I have noticed she is slow lately and easier to catch than usual. She hasn’t been laying any eggs either and I’m worried somethings wrong with her.

 

[Judy]

Unfortunately, something may be. She could just be going into a molt, or reacting to hot weather. Depending on her age, I would worm her if you haven't, also check for lice / mites. But she could also be a victim of egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying; I hope not.

lice/ mites and worms thread

 

[terryg]

You are right to worry. I'm going to take the pessimistic view here. When a chicken stops looking enthusiastic about food, she is sick. Chickens get many terrible diseases that you only can diagnose after death with an autopsy. These include cancers, tumors and impactions. For all of them, a tell-tale sign that it is a terminal disease is that the chicken stops eating. I have known hens that have starved to death, right under TLC and watchful care. Hand feed your hen a special treat. Is she pecking and swallowing? Just pecking but not ingesting? Not pecking at all? Isolate her. Has she produced any manure recently? If is not eating and not pooping, then please read my post about end of life decisions.
http://hencam.com/henblog/2012/06/the-kindness-of-euthanizing/

If she is still eating, then there is hope! You might want to try my Spa Treatment that has brought very sick hens back from the brink.
http://hencam.com/the-spa-treatment/