My Barred Rock, Pepper, is two years old and usually the friendliest and chattiest hen. But recently, she has distanced herself from the flock. Yesterday, she stayed in one spot on the ground all day and never moved even when I brought out treats for everyone!
She hasn't laid any eggs at all this year. I thought she may have been stressed after losing a flockmate this winter. But my only other hen is happy and laying just fine. I got 3 new baby chicks about 7 weeks ago and they have been integrated and all chickens hanging out peacefully together for about 3 weeks now (MHP method).
I thought she might be broody but she doesn't spend much time in the nest box and when I noticed her in there a couple times she kept moving and scratching while her vent was pulsing. But never an egg. That was weeks ago.
So throughout the day yesterday she mostly just stood there hunched with her wings slightly spread and drooping down. I never noticed her eating but she did go to drink water.
I am not very good at giving exams, but I did notice she had some crusties around her vent. So I gave her a warm soak, blow-dried her and I isolated her inside the coop with food and water. It was getting late and she was still a little damp so I put her on a heating pad covered with shavings to keep her warm.
This morning she was standing by the water dish, drinking occasionally. Three hours later she still hasn't moved again... at all! What could be wrong?
She hasn't laid any eggs at all this year. I thought she may have been stressed after losing a flockmate this winter. But my only other hen is happy and laying just fine. I got 3 new baby chicks about 7 weeks ago and they have been integrated and all chickens hanging out peacefully together for about 3 weeks now (MHP method).
I thought she might be broody but she doesn't spend much time in the nest box and when I noticed her in there a couple times she kept moving and scratching while her vent was pulsing. But never an egg. That was weeks ago.
So throughout the day yesterday she mostly just stood there hunched with her wings slightly spread and drooping down. I never noticed her eating but she did go to drink water.
I am not very good at giving exams, but I did notice she had some crusties around her vent. So I gave her a warm soak, blow-dried her and I isolated her inside the coop with food and water. It was getting late and she was still a little damp so I put her on a heating pad covered with shavings to keep her warm.
This morning she was standing by the water dish, drinking occasionally. Three hours later she still hasn't moved again... at all! What could be wrong?
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