New chicken lying down lots

[SantaMaria]

Wonder if anyone can help. We just got 7 10 week old hens. 6 are fine but the 7th is weak. She seems OK but keeps taking a few steps then sits down. She sleeps at the opposite side of the house from the others on her own and is moulting already. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[chrismahon]

Hi SantaMaria and welcome to the forum. Would need a lot more information to guess at the problem here. What type of chickens did you buy and where were they kept beforehand? It is possible your feed is completely different to what she was used to so she isn't eating anything now. She may be being bullied away from the feeder as well. Or she may not be drinking? She may not have adjusted to her new surroundings? You need to check her poos and her crop to ensure she is eating and drinking enough and that it is all passing through. Lack of food will induce a moult.

 

[SantaMaria]

Thanks so much for replying. The hens were hand reared by a friend if mine and I'm using the same food. She is eating and drinking and potters around kind of in the group with the others although she gets to where they are then plops down. I don't think she is being bullied or missing food or drink. I can't work out what's wrong although when she does take a few steps she seems very laboured on her legs.

 

[Marigold]

The 'laboured legs' could be cause for concern, I think. When she walks, does she seem off balance? Does one wing lie out in an odd way?
There are quite a few nasty viruses that can affect young birds, including Mareks Disease.which is very common in home- bred chicks, and one that more commercially orientated growers always vaccinate against. Dud you notice anything wrong with her when still at your friends house? If she were mine I would get a vets opinion, because if it is Mareks she will need to be PTS. it's not curable and she will go on shedding dander with viruses in, which will infect the others. Not saying this is the case, but you do need to have this in mind, I'm afraid.
They do start moulting their chick feathers usually around 12-15 weeks and then they grow their first lot of adult plumage which lasts them for up to 18 months, until their first proper adult moult. Moving home always stresses poultry and this frequently triggers health problems, I'm afraid.