Chicken emergency

[TOPChickens14]

Hey guys, so I have a 3 year old hen that no longer lays eggs (I believe) and yesterday I found her with the other hens but her tail is practically touching the ground and when she walks she sort of moves her legs outward. I separated her this morning and there is still no poop in the cage she is in. I don't think she is egg bound because I haven't seen her lay eggs in awhile. she has a poopy butt, I did clean it and there was a feather or something sticking out of her vent, and after I finished cleaning her up she passed some poop but it was watery and green. She every so often opens her mouth wide for a few breaths too.

 

[Sally PB]

What breed of chicken? Please get pictures of her vent. What are you feeding her, including any treats? The watery poop with green flecks might mean she isn't eating or eating enough.

How long has this been going on?

 

[TOPChickens14]

She is a silver laced wyandotte. I couldn't get a picture of her vent sorry.

 

[TOPChickens14]

I am feeding her a 16% protein layer feed. She gets scratch and kitchen scraps as treats. Grit and oyster shell are always available.

 

[Weeg]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous
Chickens never stop laying eggs. 3 really isn't that old, hens will lay forever and there is no reason for her to stop laying eggs at such a young age. What does her abdomen feel like? Hard, doughy, squishy, etc?

 

[Weeg]

I am feeding her a 16% protein layer feed. She gets scratch and kitchen scraps as treats. Grit and oyster shell are always available.

How often do you feed scratch and kitchen scraps? How much per how many chickens? I personally think that 16% protein is to low, but I don't thats what is causing the problem.

 

[Brooks_]

I personally think that 16% protein is to low, but I don't thats what is causing the problem.

Agreed. I'd start with upping protein.

 

[Weeg]

How is her appetite? Has she been eating or drinking at all since you've had her separated? How does her keel bone feel? Do you have a food scale by chance that you could weight her with?

 

[tripletfeb]

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous
Chickens never stop laying eggs. 3 really isn't that old, hens will lay forever and there is no reason for her to stop laying eggs at such a young age. What does her abdomen feel like? Hard, doughy, squishy, etc?

That first sentence is very wrong. Chickens can stop laying for a number of reasons. Low light, molt, sickness, age, stress. SLW are a higher production breed, so it is totally reasonable that a three year old can be done laying. They are bred to lay early and often. I had three SLW that stopped laying for me at the age of two. However, coupled with the other symptoms, OP's bird is probably sick. We should let the experts help and not spew misinformation

 

[azygous]

The duration of a hen's laying career is a matter of individual genetics as well as breed. I had a SLW that laid her last egg at age eleven. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...day-an-egg-by-an-eleven-year-old-hen.1360922/

Back to your hen. Can you please compare her comb color to your other hens? Is it a bright cherry red in comparison to other hens that have a darker red comb? If so, the cherry red comb indicates possible fever or elevated body heat.

The green poop indicates illness and poor appetite. So does the tail held low and flat, which often signifies pain. The beak gaping often means she's having a little trouble breathing or her crop is uncomfortable. Have you checked her crop? https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

The wide stance may indicate liver disease. Is there noticeable swelling between her legs just in front of them? How about swelling behind the legs below her vent? That can cause poopy butt feathers, and it may be simply body fat or could be be infected tissue from a reproductive infection.

You've done a wonderful job of presenting these numerous symptoms. It gives us a lot to go on. Taken all together, her symptoms tell me she may have cancer tumors that are taking a toll on her bodily functions and she's likely suffering pain. It would explain why she no longer lays eggs.

This is not a diagnosis. It's impossible to do that from just adding up symptoms. But these symptoms, taken together, point in the direction of cancer.