Advice & Recommendations - Chickens Tail Down

[Candycane22]

Hi there!!

Just looking to see if anyone has any experience or recommendations for one of our hens. Starting Monday she began walking with her tail down (almost waddling like a penguin). She was promptly separated from the other hens to monitor in case she was egg bound. Also gave her a few soaks in case that was the issue. She laid a normal egg Tuesday morning. Her eating and drinking is normal. Energy seems normal. Other than her walking with her tail down and stopping to lay down often, she seems relatively fine. I have picture of her as well as her stool posted below. TIA!!

 

[alinas2010]

Edit to add, Welcome to BYC! I am sorry it is under the circumstance of worrisome behavior. You may want to try to get this thread moved to emergencies diseases and cures section since a lot of times this stance indicates something unwell going on, unfortunately.

She might have another egg backed up in there. Sometimes when they become egg bound things back up. If she were my hen I would give 600 mg of calcium plus D3 immediately and then 600 mg per day for the next few days and see if she passes another egg. It is a human vitamin you can get at most grocery and drug stores. Very good idea to have on hand for egg bound hens and give at the first sign of egg binding, even before your epsom salt soak. Try to pop the whole pill in her mouth and get her to take it all at once if you can. She shouldn’t have any trouble swallowing, just gently pull the wattles down and pop the pill in her mouth.

Another possibility is that she has a swollen belly and is uncomfortable. Have you felt her abdomen? She could be suffering from a condition such as water belly.

 

[Candycane22]

Thank you so much for the welcome, as well as your response! I just went back to check on her. Her belly does feel swollen, almost jelly like. I’m assuming if it is water belly that the prognosis is not well for her then

 

[The Coop Crew]

I think water belly usually feels hard and not like jelly but I could be wrong. I’m fairly new to this myself and just relaying what I’ve read thus far! Let me tag some others who have a ton of knowledge!
@azygous
@Eggcessive

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you so much for the welcome, as well as your response! I just went back to check on her. Her belly does feel swollen, almost jelly like. I’m assuming if it is water belly that the prognosis is not well for her then

Well, it’s not the best prognosis, no, I am very sorry , but people try to manage the symptoms and some do get up to a year more out of their fluffy friends. But keep in mind she may also just have a layer of fat on her abdomen, too, that you’re feeling. Let’s let the experts weigh in.

I agree with @Bobbiejocoop there are some resident educators here that may be able to offer you better advice than I could about ways to possibly make her more comfortable. They may be able to offer you more knowledge and expertise on her stance, also.

In the meantime feel free to make yourself at home on the site. Browse other threads about chickens with penguin stances and see what you come across. You may find some helpful information for your hen. There is a wealth of knowledge and friendly folks here

 

[Eggcessive]

How old is your hen? Is she a regular layer? Have you seen any soft or shell-less eggs recently? Is her belly enlarged? Reproductive disorder, water belly, or fat could cause that. How does her crop feel this am before eating? Is it emptying overnight, and is she eating and drinking? Does she have crushed oyster shell available , and does she eat a layer feed?