Egg Bound? Or Something Else?

[sebright guy]

My little sebright pullet just had this problem. she was so sick looking that she couldnt even stand up straight. i waited because i had no idea wat wus wrong. then i seen the egg coming out and she was in pain. once she passed it i realized it was a semi soft egg that was stuck. so mabye that it the problem. but id go in if it gets worse.

Jonathan

 

[mosier]

sebright guy/Jonathan - How long was your chicken sick before she passed the egg? I'm hoping this is the case with Penny too, but it's been so many days now that I'm worried she might not pass it at all (assuming that's even the problem).

 

[sebright guy]

yes i suppose it could not even be the problem. my sebright passed the egg ont he first day. im not sure wat it would be. she is sitting in an awkward position as if she has somethin stuck. could worms do this to a chicken. have you checked for lice. we also have cochin hen. shes been sick looking since we got her. his poo is runny all the time. so try and check the poo. thats all i can think of. sorry i couldnt be of much help. hope she gets over wutever it may be.

Jonathan

 

[mosier]

I don't believe she has lice.

I am going to seperate her tonight and check her droppings, if she has any.

 

[Wynette]

Mosier, how is our girl this morning? Hope she's better!

 

[mosier]

She's still not doing well. I isolated her last night. She is still eating and drinking fine, and her droppings look normal. She is still a big puffball and waddles when she walks.

Here is a snippet of an email I recieved yesterday from our local poultry extension specialist. I think it has some useful information:

"If it came on more slowly, especially the swelling in the abdomen, then she could be laying internally. In this case, the yolks aren't getting to the oviduct, so they just pile up in the abdomen. This often causes the posture of a penguin, or a bowling pin, as the abdomen fills up. If this is the case, they usually eventually get infected (peritonitis, technically) and it will likely kill her eventually.

She might also have an infection of the oviduct (salpingitis). In these cases, it's a bit of a debate whether the yolk material causes the infection, or the infection causes the internal laying.

She could also have lymphoid leukosis. This is a fairly common viral disease which often shows up when the hens are 2-3 years old. It may have caused a tumor, and this could be the cause of the problem. If that's the case, there's really nothing you can do for her."

I'm thinking she does not have lymphoid leukosis because I read online that "...affected birds show loss of appetite, progressive emaciation and diarrhea"...and she has none of these characteristics.

Whatever she has, the outlook is not good but I'll keep an eye on her for now.

Is there a way to tell if a chicken is in pain or not? I would assume that they would make some noise if so, but she is very quiet and only clucks softly when I come nearby.

 

[jjthink]

Poor little one. I think we can assume she's pretty uncomfortable, based on that photo. If eggbound, this has been going on too long and the egg must get out. She could have heart failure if she can't get it out by herself. Would the nearby vet school folks see her for you?
JJ

 

[CTChickenMom]

I've read that upping her calcium a bit and giving her some bread in olive oil could help too, to pass a stuck egg. Lubing her from both sides of the clog may help. Does she free range? Could her crop or gizzard be jammed up from too much long grass?

 

[mosier]

The vet school charges $81 just for the initial visit (and then probably substantially more for a radiography)...so the vet isn't an option. She might have to be put down soon.

I have a large run (14x14 or so) in addition to the coop and under the coop that they have access to. When I'm home I do let them out in the yard to free range. Since it's Wisconsin and the snow has just recently melted the grass isn't even green in the yard yet, so I doubt too much foraging is the issue.

I did make a mixture of cut up tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, pieces of bread and some olive oil this morning. I saw her eat a little of it and then I left for work. So that might ease her system a bit. I hope.

The vet people I've spoken to by email all have said the advice I've gotten is really what to do form home: checking the vent, warm bath, etc.

 

[Wynette]

I'm sorry she's not getting better. As far as being in pain, they don't seem to make much noise, but your first clue in that regard (or if they're just feeling "off") is they'll stop eating. You have to come to some comfort level of how much you want to do for her. If it were me, I'd leave her separated and give her as much TLC as I could...special treats, etc. But if that's not doable, you may need to consider other options. I've had a few (though the minority) sick ones that have gotten better just from extra care. GOOD LUCK!