Sick hen-spur the problem?

[jp123]

I returned home from military service a couple days ago to an apparently sick hen. She's a 2-year old Barnevelder who shares a clean and pest-free coop with 7 other hens. All get along very well and free range all day on our wooded acres. They have continual access to clean water and Nutrena layer food as well as free ranging and the sick hen is still eating and drinking.

There's no apparent reason for the hen's rather sudden downturn in health, no other hen is affected, and there's no mites or worms evident. The sick hen was laying eggs until about the time she became ill, her crop is normal, her belly is soft. I can't identify any apparent issues, she's been a good hen, and I don't want to call her unnecessarily nor for her to continue to suffer. However, I leave again for military service on Monday so I need to figure this out ASAP. I would greatly appreciate any input you can offer.

This hen became sick suddenly and has been sick without getting better or worse for about 10 days now. She is still eating and drinking and is engaging with the other hens without issue. The only potential issue I can see is her spur. I was able to get pictures of her spur this morning and attached those to this email.

This hen grew a spur on one leg over the past year. She's laid consistently despite growing the spur and it's seemed to have no impact on her. It was the same color as her legs and toes and appeared healthy. However, to my ignorant eyes, it appears the spur is now miscolored and drooping.

Could this be the culprit of her sickness? Do you have any thoughts or suggestions to resolve it if this is the likely issue?

I really appreciate any insight you can offer. Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The sick hen was laying eggs until about the time she became ill, her crop is normal, her belly is soft.

This hen became sick suddenly and has been sick without getting better or worse for about 10 days now. She is still eating and drinking and is engaging with the other hens without issue. The only potential issue I can see is her spur.

Can you post photos of her face?

She stopped laying eggs. Were all her eggs normal hard shelled or was there an issue with production?

Any lice/mites? I'd check her over, looking for bugs. Check her crop and consider getting a fecal float to see if she needs deworming.

Eating/drinking and engaging with other hens without issue...this is normal activity.

She may have something reproductive going on, sometimes as hens age they can develop cancer or some other common reproductive issue.

It's not uncommon for hens to have spurs. If she did injure it somehow, she'd be sore for a few days and likely show favor to that leg. Is the spur cutting or rubbing into the leg or foot?