Black Copper Marans stopped laying in spring/summer

[John-n-Brooklyn]

Hello all,

My BCM is no longer laying eggs and the circumstances seem strange to me, so I'm posting here to get any advice you may have.

She is just over one year old and began laying her first eggs around Thanksgiving (November) last year. Since we had a mild winter in NYC (I live in Brooklyn), she and my other hens continued laying through the winter. In February though we had a couple weeks of very cold weather and the BCM stopped laying (the others kept laying).

I figured once the spring came she would begin laying again. It's now almost July, with plenty of light and warm weather, and she is still not laying. She seems healthy and has no obvious health defects. She does have a large round abdomen (unlike my other breeds) but I believe that's a normal physique for a BCM.

--John

 

[LaFleche]

...She does have a large round abdomen (unlike my other breeds) but I believe that's a normal physique for a BCM.

--John

What you describe as a large round abdomen might be caused by internal issues such as internal egg laying, peritonitis or else.
Marans (BCM) fatten up quite quickly when being overfed and not laying. They tend to accumulate some kind of fat pad which causes problems and might even lead to eggs not being able to pass the oviduct and getting stuck.

 

[John-n-Brooklyn]

Thanks for your reply! Is there a way for me to confirm that is her issue?

Is that something I can take her to a veterinarian to see? Is that something that can be fixed?

 

[LaFleche]

An avian vet could examine her (x-ray / ultrasound) and find out if the swollen abdomen is due to waterbelly (ascites) or if there are some eggs stuck or else (fat).

Ascites would just be a symptom of some underlying issue, i.e. internal infection, cancer or heart disease. The accumulated water can be drained to aleviate breathing etc. but would not heal whatever might be wrong.

What is her actual bodyweight? How does her poop look, is her vent swollen or red or messy? And how does her abdomen feel, is it hard or rather soft?

 

[John-n-Brooklyn]

My guess is that she is maybe 7 pounds give or take. Definitely heavier than some of my other hens (Plymouth Rocks and an Easter Egger), given her size. He poop looks normal and her vent doesn't appear swollen or red. He abdomen is soft. It feels bloated.

 

[LaFleche]

Could you try and feel if it is rather wobbly like a water filled balloon?

 

[John-n-Brooklyn]

Yes, it feels sort of like a water balloon.

 

[LaFleche]

So it is ascites.

Although you might relieve some of the pressure by having it drained etc. the underlaying problem causing this condition will not disappear. it could be cardiac insufficiency which could be treated by administering daily dose of the required medication, but in most other cases there is not much one can do other than keep her comfortable and watch out so not to miss the point when euthanasia will be the right thing to prevent her from suffering.

 

[John-n-Brooklyn]

Oh no! This is sad news indeed. I had sensed the enlarged abdomen could be a harbinger but am glad I confirmed.

Thank you very much for your time!

 

[LaFleche]

You're welcome. I am sure you will look after her the best you can.