Bloated hen, tail down, slow moving - not sure what to do

[accidental farmer]

Hi everyone,
As my user name suggests, I am an accidental chicken farmer. My friends are travelling and I am looking after their flock of 14 hens. They are considered pets.
One of the girls is looking poorly. Her belly is very bloated (spongy to the touch), her tail is down, her feet appear pigeon toed and she moves very slowly. This afternoon, she hid out in the barn while all the other hens enjoyed afternoon tea (bananas, apples, kale, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds). It was hot today so I figured she was trying to keep cool in the barn.
I put her in a large dog crate, with straw bedding, water and food - in an area where the temperature remains moderate. She was frightened but I heard her pecking at the food and she appears to be sleeping now.
People have suggested that she might be egg bound, broody or something to do with a vent!! Oh my, I am so new at this.
I will take photos today and post

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like either internal laying or ascites, which is often from organ failure. Both are not good, and generally the outcome no matter what you do will be not good unfortunately.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would agree with @oldhenlikesdogs that it is probably a reproductive disorder, such as egg yolk peritonitis, internal laying, ascites, etc. Internal layers may waddle or prefer to liedown, lose their appetite, have an enlarged lower belly, and separate themselves. They can survive for awhile like that, but she may die. The only way to know one disease from another is to do a necropsy after death. Most of todays hens die of some sort of reproductive disease. I would let the people know that she is ill, just in case she passes away. Some try to keep them comfortable or try antibiotics, but unfortunately those illnesses are almost always fatal.

 

[accidental farmer]

Thank you oldhenlikesdogs & Eggcessive,

Your comments make a lot of sense.
I tried to get some photos but had technical difficulties! But your descriptions of internal laying sound right on. Curious thought, her poop seems to ooze out while she is laying down. It is loose and looks like crumbled green grass with white flecks - some of the larger white pieces resemble cream cheese. Other times she just drops a pool of opaque white liquid.

My guess is that she is too far gone for treatment. And she seems to be suffering. So I will arrange to have her humanely put down. In the meantime, I placed put her back in the barn where she seems more content. I will crate her so the other birds don't peck her and i'll treat her to special yummy treats until the end.

 

[accidental farmer]

Thank you oldhenlikesdogs & Eggcessive,

Your comments make a lot of sense.
I tried to get some photos but had technical difficulties! But your descriptions of internal laying sound right on. Curious thought, her poop seems to ooze out while she is laying down. It is loose and looks like crumbled green grass with white flecks - some of the larger white pieces resemble cream cheese. Other times she just drops a pool of opaque white liquid.

My guess is that she is too far gone for treatment. And she seems to be suffering. So I will arrange to have her humanely put down. In the meantime, I placed put her back in the barn where she seems more content. I will crate her so the other birds don't peck her and i'll treat her to special yummy treats until the end.

 

[rebrascora]

The oozing white crumbly poop will be mostly urates (chicken wee is more of a white solid than liquid like ours). Normally it is seen as the white capping on normal poop but if there is no normal poop coming through her system, then the urates tend to ooze out and the green colouration is often an indication that her digestive system is shutting down. Her intestines are probably becoming or have become blocked by the mass in her abdomen causing the bloat.... it may be fluid or egg yolk material or an impacted infected oviduct. Sadly all will almost certainly prove fatal and if she is not passing proper poop then euthanizing her will be the kindest option. If you have contact with her owners, I would run it past them before carrying it out but with three of us quite experienced members of BYC all calling it the same way, you can be reasonably confident it is the correct decision. I hope she is able to enjoy a few treats as her last supper. I'm so sorry.

 

[accidental farmer]

Thank you @rebrascora
You have all been so kind. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your group's wisdom. I have learned so much.
The owners have given me the go ahead to have the hen euthanized. They don't want her to suffer and didn't realise she was in such bad shape before they left on vacation. The hen has gone down very quickly in the last couple of days.
What a wonderful group!

 

[rebrascora]

I'm pleased they have been pragmatic about it. I'm sure it can't be easy having to make a decision like that when you are not at home. I am sad that you are having to deal with such a difficult situation but pleased that we have been able to make it a little easier for you.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It is good you are going to end her suffering. Many often can't, or refuse to accept the eventual outcome. So sorry.

 

[accidental farmer]

@oldhenlikesdogs and @oldhenlikesdogs

I have another question! The neighbouring farmer that I asked to come a teach me how to humanely euthanize the hen, said no!
He said that if she is laying quietly in her cage, then she isn't in pain or uncomfortable.

Do you think this is true? If you think she is suffering, I will find someone else to help me. I don't want to try it on my own because I've never done it. I don't want to injure her.

all the best