Last night, I came home about 1 o'clock a.m.  I noticed that my hen was making a loud noise. When I went out and checked on her made the same loud noise again, and it was so loud that it scared all the other chickens and me (all this time she was not on the perch). This morning when I went to school she wasn't on the perch either. When I came home from school today, I saw her in the nest box and I thought she was laying an egg, and I was happy, because she hasn't laid an egg since August. When I let the other chickens out, she didn't run out at first, but when she did, she flopped to the grass outside. Then she was running really funny to the food area, with her tail spread wide, and her wings towards the ground trying to help her keep her balance. She didn't even follow me to the barn shed to get out the crumbles like all the chickens usually do every day. I am scared that I am going to lose my best hen. She is a New Hampshire and she will be 2 years old in April. Any responses will be appreciated. Is something really wrong? Is there something I can do? Thanks

ANSWER:  Nothing There to Worry About

So far, you haven't listed anything I would call a symptom. She may be getting ready to start her laying cycle again. If no real symptoms show themselves, just laugh at her weird performance and don't worry. As long as she's eating and drinking normally, it shouldn't be a problem.

If she does show "real" symptoms, such as diarrhea, refusal to eat or drinking, weight loss, etc, then give her some soluble (powdered) antibiotics in her drinking water until enough symptoms show themselves to make a firm diagnosis.  If you are that worried, you can start the antibiotics now and keep her away from the others.  Use any of the *-mycins available at most feed stores or Tractor Supply outlets (Terramycin, Aureomycin, Duramycin, etc.).  They are all based on Tetracycline.  Dosage is 1-2 teaspoons per gallon of drinking water

If symptoms do appear, check our Poultry Diseases Help Page.  There's a section there near the top with several documents that should help you figure out what the problem is.

Good Luck,
Pete