What seems to be the problem ?

[jennysbrood]

Hello, I am hoping someone might know what is going on with my hen. She is a 1 yr. old Buff Orpinton and has already gone through a partial molt awhile ago. After her feathers came back which seemed to take awhile, she looked very healthy and beautiful and seemed like her usual self again in her behavior. But for the last week she has not been acting normal at all. She seems a bit grumpy, she walks around or sits in her nesting box often making strange noises and with her feathers all ruffled up standing on end, and her comb is turning a dark purple color. I have thought maybe she has been egg bound but her vent looks fine, her abdomen is not hot, and I have gently felt all around the back side and underneath trying to feel for an egg that may be stuck but I don't feel anything. Something is not right about her but I don't know what it is. I even looked for mites and lice but did not find any evidence of them. I just thought as I am writing this that is this her being broody ? I hope someone might know what is wrong with her. She does not act or appear sick but there is something not right going on and I don't want her to die if I can help it. This may all sound dumb and I don't want to waste any ones time but I do hope someone might be able to help me. Thank you.

 

[christwodog]

If she's eating and drinking normally, I would guess broodiness. The grumpy sounds you mentioned sound like what my Ameraucana hen does when she's broody, also with feathers all ruffled up. Hope that's it and nothing serious.

 

[coach723]

Her behavior sounds like she's broody to me. They will stubbornly refuse to move, fluff up like a turkey, and often growl at you or shriek like a pterodactyl. They can be VERY stubborn. If you do not want her to sit on eggs, then I recommend you break her (not as bad as it sounds), which basically means getting her to change her mind. While broody they don't eat or drink well and it can be hard on them. Here is a thread discussing breaking a broody, I use the wire crate method. I have one particular hen that goes broody several times a year and it's the only method that works with her.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/how-to-break-a-broody-hen.181289/

 

[jennysbrood]

What you have described is very much like what she is doing. She is a grouch, looks like a turkey, makes strange noises , and is a nesting box hog. It is all kind of funny and the other hens seem not to know what to think of her. I do hope this may be the problem and not anything serious health wise, I will keep watching her. I do appreciate everyone's time and wisdom. If anyone else has a suggestion or comment about my concern I welcome to hear it. Thank you all !

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What you have described is very much like what she is doing. She is a grouch, looks like a turkey, makes strange noises , and is a nesting box hog. It is all kind of funny and the other hens seem not to know what to think of her. I do hope this may be the problem and not anything serious health wise, I will keep watching her. I do appreciate everyone's time and wisdom. If anyone else has a suggestion or comment about my concern I welcome to hear it. Thank you all !

I agree, it sounds like she is broody.
A hormonal hen is what you have, their behavior can be a bit funny, the growling/puffing up, but if you don't plan on having her sit on fertile eggs, it's best to break her as suggested by @coach723