chicken constipation?

[zjz1999]

One of my hens has been acting odd for a few days. I haven’t seen her eat or drink for days. She stands alone from the other hens, and I haven’t seen her in the nest box. I picked her up just now to examine her. Her crop is empty and she has a lump in her rear, like a huge lump of hardened poop (could be bigger than egg). I don’t think she’s egg bound, because I haven’t noticed her walking like a penguin and she doesn’t look as uncomfortable as an egg-bound chicken. Does she have constipation? Maybe she ate something? My hens free range in a huge chicken run. Any advice? TIA

 

[staceyj]

Have you soaked her?
I’d definitely start with that and despite thinking she’s not egg bound, I’d do an internal exam.

 

[zjz1999]

Thanks for replying. I soaked her for about 10 minutes in room temperature water because it is about 80 F. Should I use warm water? For how long?

My dad did an internal exam of her. He said the lump feels bigger than egg. I'm about to give her a soap water enema using a bulb syringe. Will that harm her?

 

[staceyj]

30 minute Soak is best in warm water like bathtub temp. With a few fistfuls of epsom salt stirred in.

I am not sure of the exact reason but magnesium is what is in epsom salt which is both beneficial and has a laxative effect.

 

[zjz1999]

thanks. I'll try the epsom salt warm bath soon

 

[staceyj]

When was the last time she laid an egg? If it has been some time , it could be a lash egg.

I’d also crush up a tums and get her to eat it.
The calcium helps them push.

You can put “personal lubricant” cooking oil or something similar in and around her vent to see if it’s something she can expel on her own.

 

[zjz1999]

I don't know when she last laid an egg because I have 12 hens and she's one of many that lays brown eggs. Thanks for the tips! I will try them all.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

acting odd for a few days. I haven’t seen her eat or drink for days. She stands alone from the other hens, and I haven’t seen her in the nest box.

crop is empty and she has a lump in her rear, like a huge lump of hardened poop (could be bigger than egg).

My dad did an internal exam of her. He said the lump feels bigger than egg. I'm about to give her a soap water enema using a bulb syringe. Will that harm her?

How is she?
Is your hen pooping at all? Photos of the poop would be good.
Any photos of your hen?

I would not give her an enema.
From your description, she likely has an internal laying/reproductive disorder like EYP, cancer, tumors or Salpingitis. Tumors, eggs and lash eggs can sometimes be felt in the abdomen or upon internal examination.

Will she eat/drink for you?

 

[zjz1999]

Stacey, I gave my hen a 40-minute warm epson salt bath, followed by blow-dry, tums, and yoghurt. When I examined her internally after the bath, I did not feel any blockage one inch into the vent area. (should I go deeper?) Her "poop" last night was all liquid and white; nothing solid. Now I don't know if it is from not eating or blockage. Maybe she was not eating because of an internal blockage that I could not feel? She was all clean and no bad smells at all before the spa. No parasites.

 

[zjz1999]