Egg Bound? Please help

[EasternPromise]

Hi folks,
One of my RSLs is struggling and I'm trying to figure out the cause. Details as per below, as well as photos.

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)

Two year old RSL of average weight.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

Lethargic, without appetite. Stays in nesting box but stands up in it instead of laying flat. Appears to be trying to push egg out and pushes tail up and down. Puffed up feathers. Belly looks and feels swollen.

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?

2 days.

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?

No.

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.

No.

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

Nothing that I'm aware of.

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.

Balanced non GMO layer mash, and free choice food scraps (greens, leafy greens, some fruit, etc.)

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.

Runny; no blood.

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?.

Epsom salt bath. I've inspected interior of vent and do not feel any egg.

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?

Treat myself; I won't be seeing a vet.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

Attached.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

Chickshaw with straw/shavings as bedding.

 

[coach723]

Her abdomen does appear bloated. Does her keel bone feel prominent, or is it well muscled? With laying hens. particularly those bred to lay lots of eggs, reproductive problems are not uncommon, especially after the age of two. The bloating in the abdomen could be ascites (waterbelly), which is fluid build up in the abdomen that is leaking from the liver. That is a symptom of another problem, could be a cancer, infection, organ failure, internal laying etc. They hide the symptoms really, really well so it's often not discovered until it's advanced. The fluid can make them feel heavy or normal weight, but their body condition may be poor. Sometimes with birds that are laying internally or have salpingitis (infection/inflammation of the oviduct) the bloat can be infectious material that is building up in the abdomen. Often the root cause is not known until they pass and a necropsy is done. The pressure in the abdomen makes them uncomfortable and sometimes makes them feel like they need to lay, but they can't. It can sometimes make it hard for them to breathe if it puts pressure on the airsacs, and it can also cause a slowage or stoppage of digestion which can cause crop problems. Some birds will waddle or walk with a wide legged stance. If it's fluid, some will drain it and it may make her more comfortable for a time, but it is not a cure, the underlying condition is still there and the fluid usually recurs. Draining does carry some amount of risk, shock if too much is drained too quickly, or infection from the stick into the abdomen. There are video's on youtube showing how to drain if that is something you want to try. In general, once a hens abdomen is bloated, then there isn't much to be done other than try to keep them comfortable as long as they are doing ok. Some will live for quite a while, some will pass quickly, it really depends on what the underlying condition is and how advanced it is. If draining is successful it may make her feel much better for a while, how long is hard to predict. If you don't want to try draining, the course I take is to leave them with the flock until they are no longer really doing normal chicken things, they go off food or water, isolate themselves, get attacked by flock mates, or are obviously feeling very unwell, then I euthanize.