Calcification of uterus (egg gland) in a hen

[mpdnd1]

I had a hen that by the time I discovered it had what felt like a heavy rock in her uterus area where eggs are made. She had had runny feces for about 2 months prior then when things got serious decided to stand in the middle of the driveway with her head under her wing. At that time we took her into the house to warm her up and try to get some fluids in her to no avail. I felt her abdomen and it felt like there was a heavy weight inside. She wouldn't eat or drink. Anyone else have a hen with a similar experience? She passed away 3 days later. I am ordering a poultry pathology book because I find that veterinarians know very little about chickens, nor to they especially care other than to collect their fees.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I had a hen that by the time I discovered it had what felt like a heavy rock in her uterus area where eggs are made. She had had runny feces for about 2 months prior then when things got serious decided to stand in the middle of the driveway with her head under her wing. At that time we took her into the house to warm her up and try to get some fluids in her to no avail. I felt her abdomen and it felt like there was a heavy weight inside. She wouldn't eat or drink. Anyone else have a hen with a similar experience? She passed away 3 days later. I am ordering a poultry pathology book because I find that veterinarians know very little about chickens, nor to they especially care other than to collect their fees.

Sorry that your hen died.
Unless you sent the body for necropsy or performed one yourself, it would be hard to know what was going on.
You mention calcification of the Uterous - did you find hardened material in there?
https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-female/
A heavy weight in the abdomen can be a number of things - from internal laying, peritonitis, fluid, salpingitis, etc. Even upon necropsy it's sometimes hard to give it a name since some things look similar.

There's quite a few really good videos on youtube that you may want to watch, just look up poultry necropsy. A book is also good to have on hand as well.

This is a good video that walks you through the reproductive system.

Here's one necropsy video that's pretty good.

 

[Byrd gal]

Why would that happen ? Hard water or too much calcium? You freaking me out never heard of it

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Why would that happen ? Hard water or too much calcium? You freaking me out never heard of it

Who are you addressing - me or the OP?
It's not uncommon for laying hens to have reproductive problems similar to what the OP has described.

 

[Byrd gal]

Im sorry . I was asking generally what causes it? I am not a seasoned chicken expert for sure. A stone like mass in the uterus sounds like a very painful death I would like to avoid dealing with.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Im sorry . I was asking generally what causes it? I am not a seasoned chicken expert for sure. A stone like mass in the uterus sounds like a very painful death I would like to avoid dealing with.

A necropsy would really need to be performed to see what the mass was.
It's possible that something could have been stuck in the uterus like an egg or lash material but likely it would have blocked the intestines too - a chicken would not live long (24-48hrs) with a total blockage. https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-female/

A mass in the abdomen (below the vent between the legs) can be a number of things as mentioned. Internal laying, Peritonitis, etc.
The links I posted previously are informative of how the reproductive system works.
As you can see in the images below - an egg or egg yolk can travel back up the oviduct (reverse peristalsis) and actually drop into the abdomen. Of course the body reacts to that and starts to cover that "foreign material" in layers of "exude" which is like this leathery pus like material.
Also take note that the ovaries and reproductive tract is along the spine/back of the hen, not the abdomen.
There are things that can go wrong unfortunately. Laying hen can have difficulties and are not always long lived. For reproductive issues, I have not found a "cure" or really even a preventative.
I understand, with all the info you may read you can get a bit overwhelmed and paranoid. I'm not trying to make light of it at all, but eventually if you keep laying hens you will have one (maybe more) that's going to have difficulties.

 

[mpdnd1]

Sorry that your hen died.
Unless you sent the body for necropsy or performed one yourself, it would be hard to know what was going on.
You mention calcification of the Uterous - did you find hardened material in there?
https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-anatomy/avian-reproductive-female/
A heavy weight in the abdomen can be a number of things - from internal laying, peritonitis, fluid, salpingitis, etc. Even upon necropsy it's sometimes hard to give it a name since some things look similar.

There's quite a few really good videos on youtube that you may want to watch, just look up poultry necropsy. A book is also good to have on hand as well.

This is a good video that walks you through the reproductive system.

Here's one necropsy video that's pretty good.

Thank you so much for all of that information. I will do a necropsy on the chicken when I have some time. I had to freeze her for the time being which I know is not the best way to do it but due to weather and other commitments, I have to do it when the weather is better as I plan to do it outside. Will have to get the necropsy kit first as I can't find my scalpel. I looked at one of the videos and have medical background so should be able to do it for free as opposed to the vet who wanted $100. I will post the results after I am able to complete the necropsy.

I have never had a die off rate as high as what is occurring now from hatchery chicks that I have purchased. Some just drop dead after a week or 2 and others have stunted growth probably due to genetic inbreeding. This occurred in chicks that I purchased in September, a time that I have never seen chicks available as it is too close to winter unless you have the set up to keep them temperature regulated and they develop normally. It has been a real challenge keeping them alive and giving them Necton-S vitamins to see if I can save them through nutrition. Will have to see what the egg production will be like when they are 6 + months old.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much for all of that information. I will do a necropsy on the chicken when I have some time. I had to freeze her for the time being which I know is not the best way to do it but due to weather and other commitments, I have to do it when the weather is better as I plan to do it outside. Will have to get the necropsy kit first as I can't find my scalpel. I looked at one of the videos and have medical background so should be able to do it for free as opposed to the vet who wanted $100. I will post the results after I am able to complete the necropsy.

I have never had a die off rate as high as what is occurring now from hatchery chicks that I have purchased. Some just drop dead after a week or 2 and others have stunted growth probably due to genetic inbreeding. This occurred in chicks that I purchased in September, a time that I have never seen chicks available as it is too close to winter unless you have the set up to keep them temperature regulated and they develop normally. It has been a real challenge keeping them alive and giving them Necton-S vitamins to see if I can save them through nutrition. Will have to see what the egg production will be like when they are 6 + months old.

Let us know what you find out.

Having a lot chick losses, consider that Coccidiosis may be an issue. Amprolium is used to treat that.

Hopefully the ones that survived will do well for you.

 

[mpdnd1]

I used Amprolium. Wish I could get the terramycin that I used to use but people abused it and now it requires a Rx.

 

[Aoife123]

Any update on this post? I have a hen with a solid mass in her abdomen. She frequently passes little white lumps in her poo. They do look different that a lash egg as the lash eggs I've seen tend to be flesh coloured. The vet thinks she should be put down and wouldn't administer antibiotics for her. Gor what reason would a hen body expel something like this? Does this signify that there is infection going on? I can't bring myself yo have the hen put down without knowing I've done all I can. Should I try get a dose of antibiotic for her?