Young pekin and the Rooster

[Spanielkiss]

I am fairly new to the wonderful world of hens . I have 4 pekin ( bantems) one is a Rooster . My newest acquired hen is Poppy who is 9 months old and not laying yet, she’s been with me a month .
Ive noticed Poppy is often following the Rooster around and trying to get under him , at night in the coop he sleeps in a nesting box and she gets in and burries herself head first under his chest . The other 2 hens are on the roost but they are friends and both laying . Ive seen the Rooster mount the alpha hen who is also 9 months but not Poppy . When shes not with the Rooster she seems a bit inactive and down in spirits although she does get up to eat and drink. Ive checked her for parasites and shes been wormed so Im a bit puzzled.
Does anyone know if this behaviour normal ? Maybe she just hasnt settled in yet and is looking to the Rooster for company ? Any input would be great

 

[sourland]

The rooster may very well be protecting her from aggression on the part of the other hens. She is still adjusting to her new home. Chickens hate change.

 

[Spanielkiss]

Well ive watched and she isnt being bullied by the other 2 girls but she keeps very much to herself still . She eats and drinks a bit then just sits out of the way looking miserable . She seems take slow deep breaths , beak closed .
I hope she‘s physically ok

 

[Spanielkiss]

Just an update. she continued to worry me over the following weeks. An old man i know who's been breeding chickens for decades suggested I should try antibiotics which he supplied to me as she seemed to be slowing down more and began open mouth deep breathing. I gave her her own space and a comfortable nesting box but she deteriorated fast and died on the 3rd night after we started the antibiotics.