Chicken getting huge and barely pooping

[Vicki B]

I have three Rhode Island Reds about three years old. I did have four one died last year just out of nowhere two of them have not laid eggs in over a year one lays every other day. I let them free range on the weekend while I’m out with them and a little bit every night when I clean the coop. One hen is getting huge very fat and heavy. She does not like to be picked up but will let me when I catch her. The last three weeks or so her poop is very very tiny and she has not laid an egg in over a year. she also looks like she’s breathing heavy when I do hold her almost gasping maybe. I don’t see anything in her vent but I did not physically check it. Should I give her a warm soak if I can?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your sick hen. If she has an enlarged lower belly, she could be laying eggs internally, or have another reproductive disorder. Ascites or fluid in the belly can be common as well. Fat hens may be suffering from fatty liver disease. Is she fat all over throughout the breast and belly? How does her crop feel—empty, full, hard, doughy, or puffy like a balloon? I would not soak her, since she doesn’t seem to be eggbound.

Can you tell us what you feed her? Does she seem constipated? Is she getting around okay, or does she waddle or sit around a lot?

 

[Vicki B]

She is fat all over. Seems to be waddling. But getting around good eating and drinking good not as aggressive as she used to be. I just change their feed about three weeks ago to Purina layena Crumbles. Before that they were always on FRN layer crumbles. I am not sure about the crop and they are in bed now I will check that tomorrow. It was weird that they all three quit laying last year and now ones been laying again but the other two have not and she’s one that has not. Her poop is very very tiny. You can see her trying to poop but it it looks normal but very small. Before sometimes they used to look like a dog laid it LOL. I’m really worried about her though.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would watch to see if she is overeating, and if her crop is really distended in the morning or later in the day. Do you feed any treats like corn or scratch, or table scraps?

 

[Vicki B]

I would watch to see if she is overeating, and if her crop is really distended in the morning or later in the day. Do you feed any treats like corn or scratch, or table scraps?

 

[Vicki B]

I give them some scratch or sunflower kernels. Sometimes sweet peas or green beans. She is pretty heavy. She used to be the bully but has really mellowed out since I noticed her looking bigger. I just noticed how small her poop had been for a couple weeks. Even at night when she is sleeping they are the size of a dime. Thank you so much for the advice. Should I give her apple cider vinager in the water?

 

[Eggcessive]

ACV is not something that chickens need, but a small amount does not hurt them. I would cut out all treats and just let her eat her feed. Here is some reading on fatty liver disease:
http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/fatty-liver-syndrome
https://www.tillysnest.com/2013/12/fatty-liver-diseases-in-backyard-html/

 

[Vicki B]

Thank you so much. I was giving a good amount of sunflower seeds hoping the extra protein would get her to start laying again. I will definitely stop that and give more peas and food veggies. The links were very helpful.

 

[Eggcessive]

You should only give her chicken feed. That is all she needs, and perfectly balanced.