Chicken With Saggy Bum, Eating Food And Still Energetic

[cbwolak]

We have a 2 year old Rhode Island Red named Caramel who about 12 weeks ago started waddling around like a penguin. She continued to eat normally and in the last week started laying again. The shells on the eggs appear to be strong, but they are enlongated. We've had to keep her separated from the other chickens to keep her safe but we can't reintroduce her until she is able to fly up onto the roost. Her abdomen feels soft to the touch and there are no noticeable lumps. Any ideas?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have a 2 year old Rhode Island Red named Caramel who about 12 weeks ago started waddling around like a penguin. She continued to eat normally and in the last week started laying again. The shells on the eggs appear to be strong, but they are enlongated. We've had to keep her separated from the other chickens to keep her safe but we can't reintroduce her until she is able to fly up onto the roost. Her abdomen feels soft to the touch and there are no noticeable lumps. Any ideas?

Hi

Welcome To BYC

Having a "penguin" stance and waddling around, she may have an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Salpingitis, Ascites, cancer or tumors. Some symptoms include loss of weight, loss of balance, difficulty walking, penguin stance, poop that looks like it has egg matter in it and abdomen that feels fluid filled/bloated.

Offer her some poultry vitamins in her water. Sometimes giving them a soak in a warm epsom salts bath can give some relief. Reproductive disorders are unfortunately common and there is no real method of treatment. Antibiotics can help temporarily with infection, but is usually short lived.

Having a fecal sample tested to rule out Cocci overload and worms would be a good idea.

Let us know how she's doing.

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/