Chicken bald back

[Chicken deficient]

I got 2 new hybrid hens yesterday, but one of them doesn't seem quite right.

 

I've noticed her drooping her tail again from time to time and seeming slightly unsteady on her feet. I've seen her eat and drink and was keen to eat some corn. I gave her a thorough check over and can't find anything obvious, (crop / inside beak / legs / vent etc) though she looked particularly uncomfortable when I checked her vent and really drooped her tail after that. She also lay down to eat a bit of corn she found, which I thought was weird.

 

Her comb is quite large and red, as though she is about to come into lay and she did squat down when I was checking her back end.

 

I also noticed that her tail feathers are a bit grubby, unlike the other ones. (Not like she's had funny poo, more like it's been trodden on by others).

 

I'm trying not to worry too much, but do you think there is something wrong with her and that I should take her back, or could it all be explained by her brewing to lay her first egg?

 

It's difficult to describe, but she is acting almost like there is something uncomfortable up there on it's way out.

 

Sorry to ramble on, but I wanted to give as much info as I could.

 

Thanks for your help

Edited November 21, 2010 by Guest

[Steve the Gas]

Could be getting ready to lay but could also be subordinate behaviour - so she does not attract any bullying too.

 

Observe - time will tell..............

[Guest]

where did you get them from? did the place look clean and did the breeder's other chickens look well?

[Chicken deficient]

Thanks - the place I got them from has a good reputation - lots of people on here get hens from them.

I don't think it is behavioural - she perks up and acts normally if one of the others approaches her.

[Guest]

I'd keep a close eye on her. IMO it's never a good idea t mix new hens with existing ones straight away, I like to give them time and space to acclimatise. I believe there's a section on the forum about intros, maybe someone could post a link to it?

 

Check her crop in the morning to make sure it's empty and at night to make sure it's full, try and note if her droppings are normal.

 

It's possible she's coming into lay but i can't remember how our normal hybrids behaved at that point, most of our girls have been ex batts.

[Steve the Gas]

She may perk up to hide any weakness, they are velocoraptors..