Sick Chicken Stopped Crowing
by Maureen
Sick chicken stopped crowing: Several months ago all our chickens stopped laying at the same time ages very from 1-3 yrs and the rooster stopped crowing. Now one of the chickens keeps falling over. Any ideas to why this would happen? Answer The laying problem could be a variety of issues. Hens are only productive for two to three years on the average. The age of some of your chickens might be the trouble. It is not uncommon for hens to hide their eggs even if they never did it in the past. Oftentimes, older hens will eat the eggs laid by younger hens because they can’t lay anymore. Be sure that you have proper lighting for your flock. When the days get shorter, hens will quit laying unless artificial lighting is supplied for them. The number one reason that a rooster stops crowing is fear. If the bird was frightened by a predator, it often takes a few weeks for him to recover from the shock. It is also wise to check his mouth and throat for dust, sores or a gapeworm. When chickens begin falling over it is usually a sign that they are molting. If their feathers are starting to fall out then you have your answer. If not, it could be any one of a myriad of problems including rancid feed, moldy straw, parasites or more serious problems. |