I have three eight-month-old chickens that we got from Dare 2 Dream at 7 or 8 weeks. Two of them are laying (we get 2-3 eggs a day). They are very vocal, alert, and social. I'm beginning to really worry about the third,
Rosie.
Rosie has yet to lay. She had a slight limp for a couple weeks, it came and went. The limp is gone, but spends most of her time "resting," i.e., sitting down. She isn't social with the other birds, and sleeps by herself on a lower roosting bar. She seems to be a bit smaller that the other two, although she eats, drinks, and poops normally. But she seems confused. When I am hand-feeding them treats (apples, strawberries, and leafy greens are their favorites), Rosie misses the food by a mile when she's trying to peck it, while the other two girls have laser-beam precision. She can most often be found sitting by herself, sometimes facing a wall or fence post. This behavior has gone on for awhile now.
Her comb and waddles are very pale, and very small (almost non existent), while both other chickens have large, fleshy, bright red combs. She also often has her tail feather sort of... droopy.
I have checked her for mites, foot and skin issues, being egg-bound... nothing. She doesn't seem to have any respiratory issues, rashes, or abrasions, and lacks symptoms of most diseases that I've read about. She eats, drinks, and poops normally.
Is she just depressed? Is it possible she's a bit delayed? Or are these signs of a disease that I haven't read about? Any insight and suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!
Hey there! Sorry to hear about little Rosie :( Her small pink comb and wattles are due to not having matured reproductively yet; i.e. she hasn't started to lay. Usually they grow and turn red just before you see their first eggs. She should definitely be laying by now though, at 8 months old. There are two natural and easy causes that may be delaying her: the decreasing daylight as fall approaches, or calcium. You can try putting LED lights in the coop that come on just a tad before sunrise to increase the number of daylight hours for her. Also, make sure she also has access to oyster shell or some type of calcium supplement.
She looks fairly healthy, with shiny full feathers, and bright eyes. Unfortunately, between her odd passing limp, small stature, droopy tail and mopey nature, you may have a larger problem and one that wouldn't be easily diagnosed. With normal poops there isn't an easy way to diagnose internal issues. You may need to take her to the vet for testing if she worsens. One easy way to find out if there are parasite issues is a fecal float test done by your veterinarian by just collecting a fecal sample. You can find a list of local and private veterinarians who treat poultry here: http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/contact/Private_Veterinarians/
Good luck with her! Sorry we can't be of more help.
I read your post with interest. Just like hopeful new parents anticipating wonderful things for their children, you anticipated your chicks to be healthy, lively, and lay many eggs. I am sorry for your sweet girl. Her behavior sounds like she might be a "special needs" chicken (if there is such a thing) and bears closer attention. How is she now?
Hi as I've said in my post I'm really not a chicken person I just help out my mother on my grandmother's farm and she has lots of chickens, peacocks, and pheasants. I am studying to be a licensed mental health counselor. Though they're not people if I had to guess I'd say she was a runt and probably bullied. You may want to consider getting a small young banny for her to be buddies with if not it would help probably if you let her buddy around with you. Just remember it's their instinct to not be social with humans but if you initiate it she'll be happy