Advice needed on poorly hen

kellybelly

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Hi, I have a hen, Baby bird, a spangled-sussex, about 2 years old. She has never been a great layer but goes through phases where her laying is better (summer).

I noticed yesterday that when our 2 other girls went into the hen house at night, that Baby bird stayed out without them. She has occasionally taken herself off to a section of the garden without the others but not at night so it seemed a bit weird. After thinking about it I did realise that she hasnt seemed quite herself for a few days. Today however she is not well. She is puffed up a bit, just sitting doing nothing, tail hung right down.

When I let them into the run this morning the others came out immediately going for the food like they always do but Baby bird didn't eat anything and she was slow to come out. She did drink water but no food. I have looked at her bottom which looks pretty normal as far as i can tell but her abdomen is swollen and quite large.

Normally they free range around the yard but we have a new puppy who i dont fully trust yet and the puppy likes to chase one of the girls (not baby bird) so I have been keeping the girls in the run unless i am outside with them. I dont know if this change has had anything to do with what's going on with baby bird. I am now wondering if she could be egg bound? Like i said she was never a great layer but we havent had an egg from her in a long time. I think we had one about 6 weeks ago.

Any advice? If she is egg bound can someone tell me what I can do for her or direct me to a link about it?
Thanks so much.
 
I'm sorry. I'm afraid there is a pretty good chance she has a laying problem, could also be internal laying or some other things.

Go to the FAQ page and scroll down to find the links you want. And good luck to both of you.
 
Thank you for that. Having read now about this "internal laying" Im thinking this is what she has. Seems there is not much I can do but I will try the warm bath anyway, even if just to comfort her. She's always been a sweet little thing, the most gentle of the group. Bummer....
 

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