Black Banty hen full intestines, lethargic, not laying

[roxarnett]

Black OE Banty hen. we've had her for a year, she has been a pretty consistent layer of small white eggs.
Now She is slower moving, is having a hard time flying out of the coop, walking slowly, generally acting like 'I just do not feel good'.
She has been like this for about 7 - 10 days

When 1st noticed, I picked her up and she did not seem egg bound. What I notice is that she is really full in her lower / intestinal area.
When I toss lettuce and goodies around the run, she wanders over and pecks at stuff a bit. So, she is working at being healthy.
Green watery poop 1st thing out of the coop.
This seems intestinal to me, not sure next steps.

Thank you!

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

I'm by no means an expert and haven't experienced this with my flock, but you might want to do a search for internal laying. Many members, including SpeckledHen, have had hens have issues with internal laying and there are several good threads on the treatment, might want to check and see if their symptoms line up with your girls. Good luck!

 

[speckledhen]

Her abdomen may be full of fluid, egg yolk and infection. It's not her intestines, I bet. There is no cure for internal laying. Sometimes, it start with an ovarian infection (feces get sucked back into the oviduct in some high production/older hens) and you may kick it out with strong penicillin, but it won't stay gone for long. It's a chronic condition of many hens. I have three with it right now; already lost six to it.

 

[roxarnett]

thank you for the quick replies. I will research this topic.
Interesting as she has been so healthy and then suddenly . . .

 

[speckledhen]

You don't see the signs until it is pretty advanced. And if you pick her up, I bet she's lost weight. If not, she will soon.