Why are my hens puffing up chests?! PLEASE

[Cooley gypsum]

hey my chickens name is bertha too! i would say just because they are cold and warming up.View attachment 1230075

 

[Cooley gypsum]

hey my chickens name is bertha too! i would say just because they are cold and warming up.View attachment 1230075[/QUOTE
Here's my Bertha, if I see her puffed up tomorrow I'll attach!

 

[Cooley gypsum]

Thank you! But if your hens are acting normal otherwise, they are likely just a bit chilly. If you were having other problems like bloody poop, lethargy or weight loss, I’d say look out for cocci or other parasites.

Ok, thanks! They seem lazy/lethargic, and not drinking much at all, but other than that they seem ok. I'll watch them closer tomorrow to see their poo... I haven't noticed any bloody or super weird poo inside the run.

 

[Brandi Lee]

Our neighbors chickens do that too, we live in California well it doesn't really get that cold like in other states but it has been around like 60 degrees at night but we're not in the full swing of winter really either, but I was told that when they do that it's due to them just releasing steam from their feathers and trying to keep warm. .but I'm not all that good of a chicken expert but from the sounds of it that seems like what they're doing. .it could also be a sign that they are cold. Our neighbor has a warming system/built in heater in his chicken waters and they said it helps with keeping the chickens warm. Our neighbor also has solar system panels on top of his coops and it's for the light that's in his coops also. .I'm assuming the lights are to keep his chickens warm?. .it's just a guess.

 

[Cooley gypsum]

Our neighbors chickens do that too, we live in California well it doesn't really get that cold like in other states but it has been around like 60 degrees at night but we're not in the full swing of winter really either, but I was told that when they do that it's due to them just releasing steam from their feathers and trying to keep warm. .but I'm not all that good of a chicken expert but from the sounds of it that seems like what they're doing. .it could also be a sign that they are cold. Our neighbor has a warming system/built in heater in his chicken waters and they said it helps with keeping the chickens warm. Our neighbor also has solar system panels on top of his coops and it's for the light that's in his coops also. .I'm assuming the lights are to keep his chickens warm?. .it's just a guess.

Thank you!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

Just a word of caution here.

When chickens puff up like that, it's sometimes an indicator that something is wrong. The open beak breathing, like short gulps, is something to keep an eye on, too.

And you're also saying they seem lethargic and aren't drinking as much water.

These symptoms could mean nothing more than cold chickens. Chickens are cold hardy birds for the most part, but not all of them, and mine definitely prefer warmth. So this could explain what you're observing.

On the other hand, what you've described could be symptomatic of a problem.

As for your question about laying, my flock is ten months old. Two of the six hens started laying in September, but then they stopped. Molting is the primary reason; the secondary is trauma from a coyote attack. Also, I've learned here in the forums that the age of our chickens going into winter can delay laying for youngsters.

Please keep us updated on any progression of symptoms.

 

[Cooley gypsum]

Just a word of caution here.

When chickens puff up like that, it's sometimes an indicator that something is wrong. The open beak breathing, like short gulps, is something to keep an eye on, too.

And you're also saying they seem lethargic and aren't drinking as much water.

These symptoms could mean nothing more than cold chickens. Chickens are cold hardy birds for the most part, but not all of them, and mine definitely prefer warmth. So this could explain what you're observing.

On the other hand, what you've described could be symptomatic of a problem.

As for your question about laying, my flock is ten months old. Two of the six hens started laying in September, but then they stopped. Molting is the primary reason; the secondary is trauma from a coyote attack. Also, I've learned here in the forums that the age of our chickens going into winter can delay laying for youngsters.

Please keep us updated on any progression of symptoms.

So sorry to hear of your coyote attack. That sounds awful. I'm not conviced there's nothing wrong with the non laying hens. Their sisters are laying in a different town, it's been super warm since fall, something seems off, but I can't put my finger on it. I've added light to the coop, wondering if I should have just not added light, and see if they would lay naturally. They are all cold hardy birds, something seems amiss. We'll see. I suppose they will lay when they are ready, but I can't help feeling like I'm doing something wrong or there is something wrong with them and they are sick. I hope I'm wrong! Time will tell unless something obvious pops up I guess!

Thanks so much!

 

[Sunshine Flock]

So sorry to hear of your coyote attack. That sounds awful. I'm not conviced there's nothing wrong with the non laying hens. Their sisters are laying in a different town, it's been super warm since fall, something seems off, but I can't put my finger on it. I've added light to the coop, wondering if I should have just not added light, and see if they would lay naturally. They are all cold hardy birds, something seems amiss. We'll see. I suppose they will lay when they are ready, but I can't help feeling like I'm doing something wrong or there is something wrong with them and they are sick. I hope I'm wrong! Time will tell unless something obvious pops up I guess!

Thanks so much!

I know what you mean. It's early January and only two of the five hens are laying eggs. Natural lighting in the coop is important. I wouldn't add artificial light to encourage laying. Let them do this on their own.

Where are you located?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

So sorry to hear of your coyote attack. That sounds awful. I'm not conviced there's nothing wrong with the non laying hens. Their sisters are laying in a different town, it's been super warm since fall, something seems off, but I can't put my finger on it. I've added light to the coop, wondering if I should have just not added light, and see if they would lay naturally. They are all cold hardy birds, something seems amiss. We'll see. I suppose they will lay when they are ready, but I can't help feeling like I'm doing something wrong or there is something wrong with them and they are sick. I hope I'm wrong! Time will tell unless something obvious pops up I guess!

Thanks so much!

If you don't do lighting properly it can mess them up. We are under increasing light now, production is slowly picking up here, by March it will be really going.

 

[Cooley gypsum]

I know what you mean. It's early January and only two of the five hens are laying eggs. Natural lighting in the coop is important. I wouldn't add artificial light to encourage laying. Let them do this on their own.

Where are you located?

Thanks, I’m in Gypsum Colorado, it’s 40 miles west of Vail, in a banana belt of sorts. No snow on the ground here right now and up to 55 degree days.

I have started weening them off the light in the coop. I will continue to do that.