[Lori]

my hen hs lost its feathers on its belly and just lays inside the coup.  Won't eat or go out. Anyone have any ideas what it may be?

[OhLaLa]

How long has she been like it?
Did she start to lose the feathers before she stopped wanting to go out?
Have you checked her for mites?
How old is she?
What does her crop look like (full/empty)?
Does she feel thin?
Has she had access to something (to eat) that she wouldn't normally?
Have you or anyone else put poison down for rats/mice?
Do you have any other chickens (what condition are they in)?

[manian]

does her chest feel very warm compared to the other hens
a bit late but she may be broody

[daddymatty82]

sounds to me she may be wanting to become a mummy keep checking her. one of mine went broody last week soon to be broken im sure

[Lori]

Thanks for the responses.  She sits all day on the eggs like she is trying to hatch them.  She doesn't seem sick, she just doesn't want to leave the corner where they lay the eggs.  I have 7 other laying hens and am having no problem with them.

[Lori]

What happens when they go broody?  Is it just for s certain amount of time?

[OhLaLa]

Ah, you didn't mention the eggs bit. Yup. Broody.

Remove the eggs each day as they are laid and if you have other nests for the hens to lay in, block off the nest she is sitting in, this will help break her broody mood. 

[daddymatty82]

keep putting her out of the nest every time you see her in there and it will help to break her just rember it is not her fault just put her out in run so you keep disturbing the cycle she will soon give up

[northfifeduckling]

Not a good time to be broody - for any chicks. I would just take any eggs from under her as well, hopefully that will break it. She should see that there is nothing to sit on. If it doesn't get broken she will sit until something hatches or she gets bored. And she will be at the bottom of the pecking order each time she comes out.