New pullet acting and sounding strange
Hi All
I am a new chicken owner as of Sunday July 19th. My 4 month old buff orpington was not roosting at night, instead she was in her nesting box and pooping, so I cleaned it out and replaced the straw and added a golf ball to represent the egg. The next day no poop in the "egg" one, but poop in the other. So again I cleaned it out and didn't put an "egg" in that one, but added the straw. This morning she was letting my barred rock cover up the egg under her while she closed her eyes and made a weird cackle cough sound every minute or so. She stands in various places throughout the morning but still closes her eyes frequently and makes that sound!
Is she trying to grow from a pullet into a chicken and the sound is no longer a sweet purr but a cackle? I would appreciate any info. Thanks, Sunnee 
Until you establish FOR CERTAIN that the buff is not sick, she should be separated from all your other birds! Anytime a new bird (or set of birds) is added to a flock, they should be quarantined for a week or two, especially if they are exhibiting a cough. This could indicate a respiratory infection, and could infect your whole flock!
Does the buff try to fly, or flap her wings? Does she walk funny? Does her poop seem normal? Is her comb a bright red?
I'm no expert on diseases, so someone else will have to help there. But I do know that what your buff is doing isn't normal. Does the Rock pick on her a lot?
Some time may need to pass before the buff gets used to her new home. This could account for her not roosting -- she just might not know where it is or how to get there as buffs are not great fliers.
Thank you for responding. Except for the "cough" and the eyes, everything else seems normal. She doesn't flap her wings at all that I have noticed and the rock just cuddles with her half of the time. The buff doesn't move around much, just lays down. So I guess she isn't acting very normal. The buff used to pick on the rock, but now she doesn't do anything! Do you know of whom I can call to have them take a look at her? A don't know of any chicken doctors...Thanks again
Since I'm not from your area, I can't make any suggestions other than to get out the phone book and call some vets in your area and see if they treat chickens. Sorry, but maybe someone else from over that way can help -- anyone?