Egg bound/internal layer? Would it go on for six weeks?

[huckleberryfarm]

One of my Marans hens has been waddling around like a duck for six weeks. When she first started, i didn't feel an egg or anything in her abdomen. She did have a few lice which we treated with seven dust. She has lost all her feathers on her bottom and belly but that's probably because she drags around on the ground. She is eating and drinking and moving around fine. Well, as fine as she can waddling. I don't want to do a treatment that will hurt her (like poke around in her for an egg). I have given her warm baths occasionally and will do another one today. Any thoughts? What on earth is wrong with her? Eyes look bright. She seems fine except for her walking. I don't think she's laying but I have a lot of chickens so I'm not sure. Haven't seen her in a nest box.

 

[speckledhen]

Egg binding won't go on that long, but internal laying can go on for a year before they die. Just lost one who was showing signs of that for 14 months, didn't lay one egg in all that time. Your hen probably has a belly full of fluid and infection. You can drain her with a large syringe, but it is only a temporary solution. It is a chronic condition and will recur. Her organs will begin to shut down from the strain of all the infection and fluid in her. It's not just fluid, but probably masses of solidified infection in there.

This thread may be helpful to you. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362422

 

[huckleberryfarm]

So do you just let them live as long as possible? Or not? I don't want her to be in pain. But I think you're right. Sounds like she does have that. Poor little girl.

 

[gallusdomesticus]

Check her temperature. Normal should be 103-105. If it's above 105, she probably has an infection. There are a number of antibiotics you can try. If her abdomen feels bloated, i.e. like a water balloon, she probably has ascites. There have been a number of posts on that subject you can search on the board. If she has ascites, I would recommend you or a vet, draining her abdomen. I have a silver laced Wyandotte that has that done every three or four months for the past two years.

 

[speckledhen]

With internal laying, ascites isn't just simple fluid, it's full of egg yolk and infection, too.