What should I do with this hen? Bleeding head, doesn't move much.

[detz]

She's been acting weird for weeks, stays out by herself in the corner and doesn't move and yesterday I noticed she was staying in the coop and her leg was just off to the side and she hasn't moved since then but today I checked on her and her head is all wet/bloody. Are the other hens pecking her? It's 15 degrees outside and I don't have another place to put her alone. Is there on her way out? :-(

 

[enola]

Sick chickens should be isolated from the flock. Hens will peck/brutalize any chicken that is showing illness.

 

[detz]

Okay, I found a dog crate and put her in that in the shed to keep her out of the wind. I gave her food and water (which might freeze) and she dove right in like she hasn't eaten in weeks which might be the cause? She's also been sleeping in the nesting box and not roosting with the others and she doesn't move much so I bet her leg is broken.

 

[detz]

Her head looks better but I try to stand her up and she just falls over. Poor thing.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you think that she could have been broody, and became very weak and dehydrated? Or perhaps she is very low in the pecking order, being kept away from food? I would try to determine if her leg is paralyzed, look for toes moving, and also look for any swelling, bruising, or dark marks on her foot pad or leg. Put some iodine or BluKote on her head wound.

 

[enola]

Will she eat when food is offered? Does she drink water?