Weird behavior in broody hen and picking from another

[Chika-T]

I noticed today that my broody hen who has been relentless at staying in the nesting box, is looking pale on the legs and whitish on the comb and then I saw her do something odd. When she went to take a drink of water she bowed her head and walked backwards and kinda moved her head side to side a tiny bit. She did several times after drinking. Then my chicken that has constantly had a bare butt and I haven’t been able to figure out who’s pecking..started pecking at her neck and head feathers! And there’s a bare spot on her neck.

 

[Debbie292d]

How long has she been broody for? She's undernourished, most likely.

Being pecked doesn't help either, and now that you know the culprit, I'd pull that one out for a few days for an attitude adjustment.

You could consider breaking her from being broody. How I do it is use a metal dog pen/kennel and set it up on bricks. That's so air flow can reach her belly. I put a 2x4 the length of the kennel so she doesn't stand on wires. I attach a feeder and waterer to the inside so she can't tip it over. I put this whole thing in my coop so that she is safe at night from predators. After 3-4 days, she stops clucking, and can return to the flock.

 

[Debbie292d]

It also sounds like you have more than one feather picking. If you're not feeding them an all-flock, I'd consider switching. We use Kalmbach's 20% protein Flock Maker crumbles. All-flock has more protein, which can help with feather pickers, but less calcium, so you'll need to supplement the layer hens with oyster shell in a dish separate from their feeders. Those that need it, eat it.

 

[Chika-T]

Awesome advice guys thank you.
I need to get a way to seperate hens for sure..and I think I do have more then one picker..

I’m wondering if they’re all getting moody because they won’t use any other nesting box except the one my broody hen won’t stay out of! Like maybe they’re egg constipated and grumpy?? lol I don’t know if that’s a thing.

I did spray some no pick stuff on the two with missing feathers.

Also I usually give them meal worms every morning. I’ll double check my feed though and report back on the protein percentage! I also noticed the broody weirdo drinking a lot when I pull her out manually almost every day.

Anyone have a good homemade mixture for electrolytes? I was thinking a pinch of salt and baking soda or should I just go buy something? I hate making special trips living in country! lol

Thanks!!!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

A recipe for saline solution:

Mix 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt and a pinch of baking soda in 2 cups (500 mL) of distilled or boiled and cooled water.

Use measuring cups and spoons.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oh, sorry - you don't have to boil the water unless you're going to use it to wash wounds. I don't anyway.

 

[Perris]

I noticed today that my broody hen who has been relentless at staying in the nesting box, is looking pale on the legs and whitish on the comb and then I saw her do something odd. When she went to take a drink of water she bowed her head and walked backwards and kinda moved her head side to side a tiny bit. She did several times after drinking. Then my chicken that has constantly had a bare butt and I haven’t been able to figure out who’s pecking..started pecking at her neck and head feathers! And there’s a bare spot on her neck.

are you sure she is broody and not just ill? some birds retire to a nest box when they don't feel able to roost on a perch. In any case she sounds ill from your description: pale, maybe unstable, drinking excessively (post 4). The others you describe a grumpy maybe going down with the same thing.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

What are you feeding? How long has she been broody? And what is your setup like? Pecking can be caused by lots of things and a broody hen returning to the flock to eat and drink can be a time for squabbles but usually the broody will be feisty enough to defend herself. It sounds like something else is going on here.