*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[Peanutsmomma]

Here is another good article about egg binding from the Chicken Chick. http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html

If there is a hard shell egg in there you should be able to feel it without having to examine her vent internally. Just gently squeeze her below the vent with one hand like you are squeezing a child's cheeks (quoting the Chicken Chick) and if there is an egg in there you should be able to feel it. If you feel an egg you can give her calcium and a warm bath to encourage her to lay. The Chicken Chick article gives you all of the particulars.

I know you said she is not eating, but is she not drinking as well?

 

[3goodeggs]

And then again... that was the stance our rooster took before he ...um, died. I did not know what it could have been. I am thinking now maybe sour crop. Or, some genetic issue.
It is a shame we can't just ask them what doesn't feel right.
I hope you figure it out, and please tell us when you do.

 

[sphinxface]

I saw her drink a little. The fiance said her bum is warm but I haven't tried to feel externally for the egg. Thanks for the support!

Oh and she did poo a little, I think the egg might have broken inside her... It has happended before, I just don't know why ;(

 

[3goodeggs]

Hum... There is a poo chart somewhere.
I shall be back.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=17568.0

 

[3goodeggs]

The white in the poo is urea. It does not look like there is any solid waste in it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ar-old-polish-hen-lethargic-droopy-wings/0_50

 

[Peanutsmomma]

I saw her drink a little. The fiance said her bum is warm but I haven't tried to feel externally for the egg. Thanks for the support!

Oh and she did poo a little, I think the egg might have broken inside her... It has happended before, I just don't know why ;(

You are welcome.

Internal laying stuff is hard mostly because they eventually pass away from it. Your girl might be genetically predisposed to having laying issues. Just like 3goodeggs said it is a shame they cannot tell us what is wrong. Please read those two articles I posted if you haven't already, they are full of good info that might help her.

 

[sphinxface]

The poop is like the consistency of an egg white.. And her comb is getting darker... She has been yucky all day, crop still nearly empty. I enticed her with some turkey earlier but she quickly lost interest.

I don't think she would tolerate a bath well? She's not used to being handled like that.. Can I put a warm compress on her butt? Would that help her?

 

[Peanutsmomma]

A warm compress might help with a gentle massage and a little olive oil or KY Jelly on her vent if she is egg bound. If her comb is getting dark that is probably not a good sign and could indicate circulation problems. Have you tried getting her to drink something?

Basically what I gleaned from all of the research and conversations from other BYC members is that when you have a hen with internal laying problems (softshells etc..) if you catch the problem early enough you might be able to treat her with an antibiotic in case the egg was deposited into the abdomen and has become infected. If you feel a hardshell egg that is intact you can treat them for egg binding with calcium gluconate and a warm bath/massage to encourage them to lay but you should only do this if you feel an egg. If they are having odd looking poops with solids that are the color of cooked yolks, will not eat, trouble walking, listless, swollen abdomen, crop problems and darkening of the comb, chances are there is not much you can do. Gosh, I hate to say that but if I had known that my sweet girl would pass away so quickly from her internal laying problems I would not have gone to the lengths I did to save her as I am sure I made her even more uncomfortable. Looking back, I would have made her as comfortable as possible and let her know how much I loved her and let nature take its course. Sometimes it is hard being a chicken momma.

I sincerely hope with all of my heart that your Buff makes a miraculous recovery and if she is egg bound that she lays her egg asap. Please keep us posted on how she is doing.

 

[sphinxface]

Yeah, I kinda feel like my incompetence with handling her for some type of theraputic treatment would just make things worse... I hope she does feel better... But this is the worse it's ever been... I know how suddenly things like this can become fatal, which is scary... But I guess there really isn't much I can do? ;(

 

[3goodeggs]

I fortunately have a husband who dispatches our hens in a quick and painless way -for them, I get emotional. But sometimes it is better than letting them suffer. I am very sorry this is happening to you both.