Egg-bound chicken?

[Georgiachick18]

I have been raising chickens for four years and, fortunately, have never had a sick one. The day before yesterday I found one of our girls sitting down in the coop looking very weak. I immediately moved her to a separate cage in the garage to observe her. She begin eating and drinking so I thought, perhaps, it was a case of the other chickens bullying her to the point that she had not been unable to get to her food and water. But as I watched more throughout the day, she sat most of the time; her eyes looked very weak and she was having trouble keeping them open. When she was standing she seem to be a little hunched over. Now I think she could be egg-bound. Here’s my question: I felt inside of her vent (with Vasoline/glove, etc) and did not immediately feel anything—but off to the right side, it felt like there could be an egg there. I’m sorry to be such a novice here but when you’re feeling for the egg would it be directly in line with the vent or could it be off at a right angle? Not knowing what is going on I did give her an Epsom salt bath tonight trying to relax her—in case she is egg-bound. She is definitely not feeling well but did go to sleep standing up tonight vs. lying down. I appreciate any insights you can provide!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The day before yesterday

as I watched more throughout the day, she sat most of the time; her eyes looked very weak and she was having trouble keeping them open. When she was standing she seem to be a little hunched over. Now I think she could be egg-bound.

I felt inside of her vent (with Vasoline/glove, etc) and did not immediately feel anything—but off to the right side, it felt like there could be an egg there.

but when you’re feeling for the egg would it be directly in line with the vent or could it be off at a right angle?

She is definitely not feeling well but did go to sleep standing up tonight vs. lying down.

Welcome To BYC. I'm sorry to hear about your hen.

Is she able to poop?
What does the poop look like? Photos
If she is pooping, then she's not "egg bound".
When you feel for an egg, it would be in and slightly up. What you were feeling? Could be an egg, but it could also be something else like a tumor, it's hard to know.

Do you know when she last laid an egg?
Did you happen to notice if her abdomen (between her legs below the vent) is swollen/bloated or fluid filled? If you need to, go out and feel another hen or two to compare.
Since she's been like this for a couple of days(?) it's possible she may be having trouble passing a egg or she may have a reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, internal laying, Salpingitis, cancer or tumors.

I would not add to much heat if she is not able to get away from it. Ideally a sick chicken needs to be kept at around 75-80F. Warm soakings in epsom salts may help get things moving if she's having trouble passing an egg.

Do what you can to keep her hydrated. Let us know how she is.

 

[Georgiachick18]

Today, I kept her in the adjacent infirmary coupe —which is quite large—and she seemed to do well alone, just seeing the others through the screen. Tonight (again) she is sleeping in a large wire crate, with plenty of fresh hay, water, feed and a treat or two. She didn’t want to stay on the lower roost and preferred to sit in the hay. I covered the crate with heavy blankets— though it’s not cold here yet. She seems quite content and you can tell she feels much safer that way. Day at a time. Thank you so much for all your good advice along this journey and for your kind words.

 

[Georgiachick18]

It’s dropping down into the 30s tonight so I wanted her to be in the big coop with the rest of the crew. I’m trying something that I hope will work. I’ve put her in a large dog crate with plenty of food, water and hay, inside the coop with the others. That way she’ll be in a warmer area surrounded by the others but not able to be picked on. I’m not worried about the chickens —I’m just worried about the rooster at night. I hope she will feel cozy and not stressed with this arrangement.

 

[Georgiachick18]

She passed away naturally within the last hour. Thank you for the support. It hurts to lose them. I think the warm Epsom salt bath last night took her down more quickly. But I also believe, it was a blessing because she had been holding on for many weeks and I know she wasn’t feeling well.

 

[Georgiachick18]

Thank you for telling me that and giving me that final word of comfort. Means so much. I’m sure it’s obvious how much I struggled with this: grasping for information as I was needing to make decisions. You have really been a lifeline.

Along with Rosie our two (older) cats became ill and we had to put them both down in the last two weeks— so it’s been tough around our place on the animal-front.

After this experience, I’ll at least be more astute with regards to these types of abdominal/reproductive issues. All you can do is do your best to become knowledgeable from these kinds of losses.

 

[Georgiachick18]

Thank you and I wish you the best as well! I will be following you and others to learn as much as I can. This looks like a really incredible community of support. I’m so glad I found it. I’m sure I will have more challenges and questions ahead but hopefully not in the near future. Take care!

 

[Georgiachick18]

She is able to poop though not as much as usual but that could be a result of not eating as much. After the warm bath last night she is not sitting she’s only standing. She doesn’t have her beak open looking stressed the only thing I notice is her eyes closing often as if she’s very tired. And, her feathers do seem to be puffed out. I’m wondering what it means now that she won’t sit down. Previously she was only sitting down. I don’t know when she last laid an egg because she’s usually with the flock. I will feel the other chickens so I can see if her abdomen feels different. You’re right, I wouldn’t know what full felt like. Thank you for your good comments and thoughts!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is able to poop though not as much as usual but that could be a result of not eating as much. After the warm bath last night she is not sitting she’s only standing. She doesn’t have her beak open looking stressed the only thing I notice is her eyes closing often as if she’s very tired. And, her feathers do seem to be puffed out. I’m wondering what it means now that she won’t sit down. Previously she was only sitting down. I don’t know when she last laid an egg because she’s usually with the flock. I will feel the other chickens so I can see if her abdomen feels different. You’re right, I wouldn’t know what full felt like. Thank you for your good comments and thoughts!

Standing only she is very uncomfortable.
Let us know is you feel any bloat.

Getting her hydrated will be the first thing to try to do before you offer her any feed.
When you have time, a photo of her droppings may help.

 

[Georgiachick18]

I didn’t mention this earlier but the first telltale sign for me was that her cone was very pale compared to the other chickens. And she wasn’t standing up. Her cone appears to be a little redder since she has been separated from the others —and eating for the 2 days. I wanted to mention that because it could be relevant.