Egg Binding......maybe???

[kecrow]

I came out this am to let my girls out and my silver laced wyandotte was crouched down low and everyone was giving her a hard time. When I picked her up she has a very swollen and gassy belly. I can't see any discharge in her feathers, but I did put my finger in her vent with petroleum jelly then a white milky substance came out. She can walk, but doesn't seem overly comfortable and when I placed her in the laying box while I went for supplies she didn't get out. I have moved her to my other private area and put her under a heat lamp. I am making a slurry of oatmeal and adding some tums. She is 2 years old next month. Can you think of any other problems that I may need to deal with or any other suggestions for treatment? I never found the egg, so I'm not convinced that is the correct diagnosis. Thanks for your help.

 

[TheFarmMama]

You can try to soak her in a warm bath (hold her of course!) for about 10-20 mins while gently massaging her belly and vent area. The warm water helps relax her muscles. Make sure you blow dry her so she doesn't catch cold afterwards then place her back under the heat lamp. You can also give her plain yogurt for calcium. I also make sure their feed has oyster shell mixed in with the grit. My Serama hen, Olive, has egg issues a lot especially before she goes broody and this has always helped. Hope she gets better soon!