UPDATE - SHE IS NOW SICK - suggestions welcome -is-there-a-chance-a-production-breed-will-never-produce-an-egg-see-pics

[Wyorp Rock]

She caught a lizard last night and the Orpington, Opal, quickly stole it from her and took off running. Goldie gave chase and chased her around the yard to get it back. She quickly tired and gave up, coming back to the site where it was found. I discovered another lizard under a log and dangled it in front of her face. She took it and ran behind another log to eat it in private. Opal discovered she had another one and quickly approached for the steal again, I intercepted her with my best hocky slide move. Goldie enjoyed her lizard dinner and I felt happy she was going to roost with a large meal in her crop. All is well in chicken land.

Thank you for the update.

Sounds like she's hanging in there!

 

[Bawkbok]

Chickens do lose more heat through their legs and feet than the rest of their body because they don't have any feathers to keep the heat in. If she's cold, she would try to cover them with her feathers to warm them up.

The vibrant yellow in yellow skinned chickens' legs is caused by beta-keratine which is acquired through diet. Since she's not been eating well for a while you're probably seeing the color fade due to the change in what she's eating.

The best thing you can do for her is to make sure she's sheltered from the wind and encourage her appetite as best you can.

Thank you for your response.
I've had the north side of the runs covered for days top to bottom to block as much of the wind as possible. There is about 4" opening from the top of the tarp to the roof tarp to allow north to south circulating air flow. East and West ends are open.
Since I've switched foods, she's had more of an interest in eating again since yesterday. In fact, she went right to the feeder first thing this morning, hasn't done that in weeks! I'm still going to torpedo feed her this weekend when I have a helper to hold her during her medical checkup.

 

[Kiki]

Ok, I cut it open and there is no liquid at all, it's soft but firm inside. It has an organic odor - almost like an onion - but not in a good way. It wasn't there at coop time last night and there's no way with the run coverings that it blew in or fell from a tree. Her new favorite place is in front of the water bowl and that's where it was located, so I'm almost certain it came from her. Since I didn't see it happen I can't be positive about that. Your thoughts?

That is an onion.

 

[Bawkbok]

That is an onion.

Poor baby passed that - it was wider than an egg - no wonder she was sick. She probably still has a reproductive issue I'm guessing, aside from this illness incident.

 

[Squawkers]

Poor baby passed that - it was wider than an egg - no wonder she was sick. She probably still has a reproductive issue I'm guessing, aside from this illness incident.

Are you serious? Not necessarily doubting you, but how in the world could a chicken lay an onion?

 

[Kiki]

Are you serious? Not necessarily doubting you, but how in the world could a chicken lay an onion?

They can't. It didn't lay it. They probably actually dug it up.

 

[Bawkbok]

If they consume it, wouldn't it pass through the digestive tract? Or would it be broken down into pieces or mush?

 

[Squawkers]

If they consume it, wouldn't it pass through the digestive tract? Or would it be broken down into pieces or mush?

I don’t think she could have swallowed it whole (but maybe it’s smaller than it looks in the picture) and it would have been digested. Unless something is wrong with her digestive system.

 

[WingItRanch]

Thank you for your response.
I've had the north side of the runs covered for days top to bottom to block as much of the wind as possible. There is about 4" opening from the top of the tarp to the roof tarp to allow north to south circulating air flow. East and West ends are open.
Since I've switched foods, she's had more of an interest in eating again since yesterday. In fact, she went right to the feeder first thing this morning, hasn't done that in weeks! I'm still going to torpedo feed her this weekend when I have a helper to hold her during her medical checkup.

Yay!! If she went straight to her food this morning, hopefully that means you won't have to intervene. Sounds like she's getting stronger every day.

 

[Bawkbok]

Yay!! If she went straight to her food this morning, hopefully that means you won't have to intervene. Sounds like she's getting stronger every day.

I agree. I couldn't smell mold or anything in the feed but that doesn't mean it wasn't there. I keep their feed stored in an air tight container in the house so not sure how or if it even was bad, the other two have been eating all along. At any rate, even though I only had the feed (layer) for about 3 weeks, I ditched it and bought all flock. We always have grit and oyster shell available but she never touches it so I don't know what the feed thing is all about but I'm hoping she is on the mend. Today I saw the first signs of improving poop. It was soft solid, while not normal yet, we're headed in the right direction. Must have been the lizard dinner she had last night.