Squishy crop, strange poop

[Ccort]

Again, we can't know for certain what is happening, only that she appears to be over this crisis for whatever reason. Her behavior tells us this. She could live more or less a normal life for several more months or she could die when this happens again. And it most likely will.

Her perky state can change at any time. It's probably not that strange her appetite is off. We really can't say she's in the clear. If she is internally laying, the term for the egg spilling back into the abdominal cavity, it can affect her behavior, and not having a normal appetite would be the first symptom she still has issues.

By the way, one of the hens of mine with internal laying was just eleven months old when she suddenly keeled over and died from it. But I've had older hens die from this, too. It's probably one of the weirdest reproductive disorders you'll encounter.

I am trying to prepare for the vet visit tomorrow. I will be honest by saying that a hard death terrifies me as I've seen it happen with other pets and it just kills me. However, I do NOT want to euthanize an animal if not necessary.

That being said, if the egg has gone to her belly and is internally laying, as is your theory, is that something that would likely result in a very soon death? What actually kills a chicken when that happens? I cannot seem to find much info elsewhere.

With what she has going on, would there be additional symptoms and some time to realize what's happen and schedule for euthanasia?

With you have experience I am just trying to think this through ahead of time.

Last thing ..if she still has this egg right where it's been these elast few days or so, wouldn't her body have produced another by now and it be stuck as well? I very well may be asking a stupid question there.

 

[BelovedBirds]

What actually kills a chicken when that happens? I cannot seem to find much info elsewhere.

With what she has going on, would there be additional symptoms and some time to realize what's happen and schedule for euthanasia?

With you have experience I am just trying to think this through ahead of time.

Last thing ..if she still has this egg right where it's been these elast few days or so, wouldn't her body have produced another by now and it be stuck as well? I very well may be asking a stupid question there.

I have very limited knowledge of this, but from my understanding, the cause of death is infection, and if the internal laying creates too much of a build up, it can affect their organs too. This is why it has to be repeatedly drained and treated with antibiotics in order to prolong their life. How long it can be prolonged, I'm not sure, but it would be expensive to do.

In time, and again, Im not an expert- she reaches a point where her body is going to give out, she'll become lethargic and show she is in pain. Until that point comes, personally I think its best to let her live her life. It would reach a point where you know her time has come.

I dont think its possible that the egg is still stuck in the same place, judging by her behaviour. But we will know more tomorrow I hope. And they will be able to give you better answers to your questions.
Good luck at the vets, I know it'll be scary. I have my fingers crossed for you and your hen.

 

[Ccort]

I have very limited knowledge of this, but from my understanding, the cause of death is infection, and if the internal laying creates too much of a build up, it can affect their organs too. This is why it has to be repeatedly drained and treated with antibiotics in order to prolong their life. How long it can be prolonged, I'm not sure, but it would be expensive to do.

In time, and again, Im not an expert- she reaches a point where her body is going to give out, she'll become lethargic and show she is in pain. Until that point comes, personally I think its best to let her live her life. It would reach a point where you know her time has come.

I dont think its possible that the egg is still stuck in the same place, judging by her behaviour. But we will know more tomorrow I hope. And they will be able to give you better answers to your questions.
Good luck at the vets, I know it'll be scary. I have my fingers crossed for you and your hen.

Thank you. I appreciate your support.

 

[Fintechie]

While I am not big on giving treats other than chicken feed and a bit of occasional egg, some chickens have to be tempted to eat if they have been sick. Egg may not be accepted at first if they have never had it. Canned cat food pate, tuna/salmon, or ground meat are usually irresistible to them. I also may sprinkle feed crumbles in front while they are eating to stimulate them. Grapes and watermelon are also well accepted, but limit these treats once she is eating well.

Are these tuna/salmon or ground meat cooked or raw?

 

[Fintechie]

Ok, so she is continuing the calcium supplements, antibiotic, pain meds and doing everything to entice her into eating. She wouldn't touch the dog food.

The vet is going to see her again on Monday afternoon. In the meantime, hoping still for an egg and quite scared she will go downhill and I won't know what to do!

I'm putting her in the chicken tractor off and on today with my Easter Eggers. They aren't laying yet and if they happen to start, well I'll know the blue or green egg isnt hers! Plus her fav chicken friend is one of them. I figure this way I can still track things with her but she can have playtime with her flock too.

Really, really hoping this cna be resolved although it sounds like a slim chance and worried sick shell be gone soon. I would much rather humanely euthanize her than for her to go downhill quickly and die a terrible death. That really my biggest fear. And it's hard to understand how bad this really is when she seems perky and happy outside.

Chicken keeping is hard. I knew I would fall in love with these babies but not as much as I have. They've brought me great joy.

It is hard to have one of your beloved pet sick. I am with you as having my own favorite hen (3.5 years old) sick : the prognosis is not optimistic to say the least. Having two gut wrenching days, I started to realize that I need to respect her will and just provide any possible comfort in her painful ordeal. But that’s me. Just wanted to share and show my support!

 

[azygous]

@BelovedBirds is spot on. I can't add more to that thorough explanation.

We can't really know how long your hen has, but the odds are likely against her having a normal life. Two things can be done to try to prolong her life, and they are very extreme. One is a hormone implant that prevents ovulation, but it needs to be implanted by a vet every six months. The other is keeping the hen in the dark for fourteen hours a day. I wouldn't recommend either.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I am trying to prepare for the vet visit tomorrow. I will be honest by saying that a hard death terrifies me as I've seen it happen with other pets and it just kills me. However, I do NOT want to euthanize an animal if not necessary.

That being said, if the egg has gone to her belly and is internally laying, as is your theory, is that something that would likely result in a very soon death? What actually kills a chicken when that happens? I cannot seem to find much info elsewhere.

With what she has going on, would there be additional symptoms and some time to realize what's happen and schedule for euthanasia?

With you have experience I am just trying to think this through ahead of time.

Last thing ..if she still has this egg right where it's been these elast few days or so, wouldn't her body have produced another by now and it be stuck as well? I very well may be asking a stupid question there.

hi, any news from the vet?

 

[Ccort]

hi, any news from the vet?

Am there now. The egg has not moved.

They said the options are to continue the meds and hope her body walls off the egg and that the ovary that produces this egg will stop producing and other ovary won't start until she's old enough OR possible surgery at a specialist to remove the egg asap before the scar tissue forms.

If the egg is left, it could also break inside of her. On the flip side, anesthesia is apparently very risky for chickens. If they did go on to remove the egg, they would likely spay her while doing so.

Two poor options.

 

[azygous]

Now that's a surprise. It seems she wouldn't have been behaving as pertly if the egg was still blocking the oviduct. You might take that as a strength when deciding on a course of action. She is obviously a strong little girl.

 

[Ccort]

Now that's a surprise. It seems she wouldn't have been behaving as pertly if the egg was still blocking the oviduct. You might take that as a strength when deciding on a course of action. She is obviously a strong little girl.

Besides the still decreased appetite, she's acting like a totally normal girl. I wonder if the meds are causing the decreased appetite at this point
This vet doesn't surgery but is sending her records to the specialist that does to try getting an idea of how risky it would be. She said it would need to be done within the next two weeks before too much scar tissue is formed.

You are right, she's a strong little girl