18 week gold star possibly egg bound

[WIRuby]

Hi, this is my first time raising chickens. I have 15 hens, a mix of all large breed birds. They are all about 18 weeks old. I got them from a local hatchery in the mail as day olds. One of my 3 red sex links started laying about 2 weeks ago, now I have 3 laying, not sure which are the other two! Today I noticed the first layer staring off, and not showing much interest in me (unusual). Tonight she is a bit hunched up and seems to be straining/pushing. It has been really hot, none of my new layers are consistent yet so I don't know if she layed today or not. We are also in the midst of a major thunderstorm with hail and high winds. Do I wait until morning to see how she is or do I try to intervene tonight. I did pick her up to check her vent. It was winking a bit, didn't seem swollen or distended. I haven't had a lot of practice looking at them as they have all been rather skittish, not sure if she looks "normal" or not. I have dry starter/grower available free choice along with oyster shell and grit. I also feed FF twice daily and have been mixing half starter/grower and half layer mash for that. She doesn't look awful, but she is clearly not quite right! When do I step in, and what should I try?
Thanks so much!

 

[MrsBrooke]

You should be able to insert your finger up to the first knuckle in her vent and feel whether or not there's an egg.

If there is, you can give her a "spa treatment" and soak her hind end in warm Epsom water for 15 minutes or so. The magnesium will relax her muscles and help any egg in there, if there is one, to pass.

Egg or not, bring her inside and keep her in a dog crate or something similar in the garage where it's dim, quiet and warm. Moniter her food and water intake, also her poops.

What protein is the grower? Laying chickens need at least 16%... most layer feeds offer that.

Moving chickens at night makes it easier on the chicken.

MrsB