Stopped clucking

[r2kay]

New on here, know nothing about chickens. What I've identified as a Brown Leghorn showed up in my South Florida backyard a couple of weeks ago going around foraging and clucking a lot. It hangs out in a row of bushes against a fence. When I tried to approach, it runs away. But I noticed a couple of days ago that it wasn't clucking, so I went out and tried tossing pieces of bread and some raisins to see if it would react and it did in deed. Races to them. Will almost come close enough to take a piece from my hand when before I couldn't get anywhere near it. But I'm concerned about it not clucking. It may have been making a real quiet kind of chirping or maybe even whining sound. I'm hoping it's not sick and won't know what to do if it is. This is not a rural area - South Florida neighborhood. Any input is appreciated.

 

[orelsi]

The general wisdom with chickens is - if they move, scratch around and eat there's nothing to worry about. When they are sick they tend to stay in one spot, look ruffled and listless, don't eat.

The clucking might have been because she was broody and wanted to hatch chicks. When there are no eggs to lay on they give up after some time and stop.

Unless there are visible wounds or signs of illness like the ones above I wouldn't worry about her. Especially when she's eating.

 

[r2kay]

The general wisdom with chickens is - if they move, scratch around and eat there's nothing to worry about. When they are sick they tend to stay in one spot, look ruffled and listless, don't eat.

The clucking might have been because she was broody and wanted to hatch chicks. When there are no eggs to lay on they give up after some time and stop.

Unless there are visible wounds or signs of illness like the ones above I wouldn't worry about her. Especially when she's eating.

Thank you for that. That's a relief. I am wondering regarding occasionally giving it pieces of bread or raisins or something if it would be better to just let it continue to forage so it doesn't come to rely on the small amounts I'd give it. Thanks.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

New on here, know nothing about chickens. What I've identified as a Brown Leghorn showed up in my South Florida backyard a couple of weeks ago going around foraging and clucking a lot. It hangs out in a row of bushes against a fence. When I tried to approach, it runs away. But I noticed a couple of days ago that it wasn't clucking, so I went out and tried tossing pieces of bread and some raisins to see if it would react and it did in deed. Races to them. Will almost come close enough to take a piece from my hand when before I couldn't get anywhere near it. But I'm concerned about it not clucking. It may have been making a real quiet kind of chirping or maybe even whining sound. I'm hoping it's not sick and won't know what to do if it is. This is not a rural area - South Florida neighborhood. Any input is appreciated.

Thank you for that. That's a relief. I am wondering regarding occasionally giving it pieces of bread or raisins or something if it would be better to just let it continue to forage so it doesn't come to rely on the small amounts I'd give it. Thanks.

Welcome To BYC

I agree, the clucking a lot may have been broodiness or she may have even had a couple of chicks that you didn't see.

If you are not investing in caring for her/keeping her, then it may be best to not feed her so she moves on.

 

[r2kay]

Welcome To BYC

I agree, the clucking a lot may have been broodiness or she may have even had a couple of chicks that you didn't see.

If you are not investing in caring for her/keeping her, then it may be best to not feed her so she moves on.

Thank you. And thanks for the reply. I fed her a bit because I thought the absent clucking might have been because she was hungry or sick. And since I'm not inclined to want to raise/care for "livestock" I'll let her continue to do what she otherwise seems naturally content to do.

Thanks again. Take it easy...

 

[r2kay]

Sorry to impose again on you kind people, but when I looked out this morning this chicken was foraging in kind of a listless way, then the next time I looked she was just standing there looking around. Checked again a few minutes later and the same thing. Just standing. I've called the Humane Society, Animal Care and the local agricultural extension service to try to find someone that may be able to help her or even relocate her to no avail. So I'm wondering whether anyone on here may be aware of a resource for more information. I'm in Broward County Florida. Thanks for your patience.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry to impose again on you kind people, but when I looked out this morning this chicken was foraging in kind of a listless way, then the next time I looked she was just standing there looking around. Checked again a few minutes later and the same thing. Just standing. I've called the Humane Society, Animal Care and the local agricultural extension service to try to find someone that may be able to help her or even relocate her to no avail. So I'm wondering whether anyone on here may be aware of a resource for more information. I'm in Broward County Florida. Thanks for your patience.

I'm sorry you're having trouble finding her a home.

You could post on the rehoming forum here on BYC. Perhaps reach out to any social media groups that you know of or even on craigslist.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/