1 year old chicken with white crusty vent area, some swelling

[Michael Mote]

I have a 1 year old chicken and a few weeks or so ago she started having some white build up on her vent. It is not really getting better. Cleaned her up a few times. But now I see some swelling I think. Maybe a large grape size almost looking spot today as I was cleaning her again. Nothing seems to be pushing out. But does look abnormal. Could be nothing. She seems to be a little moopy. Does not seem to be eating a lot, but does eat. The area is not really bad as far as redness. But there is some for sure. I would assume a prolapse would be very obvious and this does not look that obvious. The smell is not really anything strong. What I would think pasted chicken poop might smell like. So was not thinking infection.

Any help or advise would be great.

Thanks Michael Mote

 

[Fishkeeper]

You should probably post some pics.

 

[Michael Mote]

You should probably post some pics.

Here is the best picture I could take. The swelling area is more obvious when she is struggling in my arms. But you can see it. That is about a 3/4 - 1 inch in diam.

 

[Eggcessive]

The white material is urates or uric acid waste from the kidneys. Do you think that she might be egg bound or constipated? The droppings can causing some scalding around the vent. I would try soaking her in a dishpan or plastic container with warm Epsom salts or soapy water for 20 minutes which may relax her. If she does normally lay eggs, I would insert a finger 1-2 inches into her vent to feel for a stuck egg—wear a disposable glove if you have one. If constipation seems a problem, add 1 tsp of mineral or coconut oil to some egg and feed it to her.

 

[Michael Mote]

The white material is urates or uric acid waste from the kidneys. Do you think that she might be egg bound or constipated? The droppings can causing some scalding around the vent. I would try soaking her in a dishpan or plastic container with warm Epsom salts or soapy water for 20 minutes which may relax her. If she does normally lay eggs, I would insert a finger 1-2 inches into her vent to feel for a stuck egg—wear a disposable glove if you have one. If constipation seems a problem, add 1 tsp of mineral or coconut oil to some egg and feed it to her.

Thanks, I have soaked her for a while, she did pretty well with it. I don't know how easy the exam should be, but I think I was in about an inch or so and I can find anything that says egg like I was expecting, but I cant say if I know I was doing it right. But her abdomen is pretty hard. I isolated her so I will know if she is laying eggs. I have 13 chickens so hard to say which are laying. I will see how she is doing in a few hours. maybe like some said, sometimes the exam makes things happen. She did eat some. But I have not seen her drink yet.

 

[Michael Mote]

No real update. I see one more discharge of the white stuff. She ate just a little more. Don't think she is drinking much if any. If anyone has more info on the exam and how I should do that. Maybe I am not doing it right to help her. Like I said, does not seem to be a lot of room. I am really careful as she seems really uncomfortable to the touch. I keep things really lubricated, I can feel her contracting which I would assume is normal. Any additional thoughts would be great.

THanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Would it be possible to take a clear picture of her vent? I can’t identify the vent opening in the one earlier. It the swelling above her vent? I think you are doing fine treating her. Most of us do not have much experience as GYNs for hens. I think the main problem is either constipation or something hard inside, which could be a tumor or a lash egg from salpingitis and internal laying. Does she lay eggs normally? Since she is acting mopey, a reproductive problem may possible. Those are more rare in such young hens in their first laying season, but still do happen. Does she eat layer type feed and have crushed oyster shell available for taking when she wants some extra calcium?

 

[Michael Mote]

Would it be possible to take a clear picture of her vent? I can’t identify the vent opening in the one earlier. It the swelling above her vent? I think you are doing fine treating her. Most of us do not have much experience as GYNs for hens. I think the main problem is either constipation or something hard inside, which could be a tumor or a lash egg from salpingitis and internal laying. Does she lay eggs normally? Since she is acting mopey, a reproductive problem may possible. Those are more rare in such young hens in their first laying season, but still do happen. Does she eat layer type feed and have crushed oyster shell available for taking when she wants some extra calcium?

I will try and post a better picture tonight. I cant seem to get quite the right lighting, and will try a little father away.

THanks MMote

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she lay eggs? If she seems to be plugged up, mineral oil 5 ml would be good to lubricate her digestive tract mixed into some cooked egg or wet feed. Of course there could be something else inside cauing her problem. Here is a link about salpingitis, in which lash eggs can occur and be deposited inside the abdomen:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/

 

[Michael Mote]

I will try and post a better picture tonight. I cant seem to get quite the right lighting, and will try a little father away.

THanks MMote

Really can't seem to get a better picture. I had to break down and take her to the vet. And well... too pricey for me, but did it anyway. She has just not getting any better. They did xrays and make sure not eggs bound up. Put her on antibiotics, hopefully she will be looking better by Friday. Thanks anyway.