Eggbound hen?? Frequently laying down, drooping wings, gasping

[Koeyohte]

Hello,

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have had my hen and tom for a year (since they were just a week old) and neither of them have ever been sick. Lately, when I go out to feed, instead of pacing and calling as she usually does, my hen is laying down, sometimes with her wings dropped to her side. She usually joins the tom in making noise and pacing and looking for attention but she totally ignores me and often just lays down and doesn't go straight to the food like is usual. She does get up and eat (I have checked to make sure she isn't faking the eating), but she will continually lie down, even while eating. Or she will just stop eating to lay down and drop her wings. She has never done this before, I never see the birds laying down besides to roost at night.

Sometimes she just stands with her wings drooping. She also doesn't stand very straight, but hunches and bends her legs a bit.

Then she'll go run around like it's nothing and she'll eat for minutes on end before doing it again. It looks like it's caused by discomfort to me, but I am worried she may be sick or there is something I am unaware of. These are my babies, so I hope I can do something to help.

Is this something that could be caused by going broody? I have only ever raised pheasants and chickens before, these have been my first turkeys.

Thank you,
~Koey

 

[chicken-herder]

Is it very hot where you are? Could be heatstroke if that is the case?

 

[McCoysOrps]

Has she laied before cause she might be starting my buff orpington pullets do that all the time then they will go lay in the nest box and create a nest but will not lay an egg does she have a nest box some where

 

[Hounds51]

Don't know that much, but from what I been reading, sounds to me like it's about time for her to become broody

 

[chicken pickin]

Hello,

Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have had my hen and tom for a year (since they were just a week old) and neither of them have ever been sick. Lately, when I go out to feed, instead of pacing and calling as she usually does, my hen is laying down, sometimes with her wings dropped to her side. She usually joins the tom in making noise and pacing and looking for attention but she totally ignores me and often just lays down and doesn't go straight to the food like is usual. She does get up and eat (I have checked to make sure she isn't faking the eating), but she will continually lie down, even while eating. Or she will just stop eating to lay down and drop her wings. She has never done this before, I never see the birds laying down besides to roost at night.

Sometimes she just stands with her wings drooping. She also doesn't stand very straight, but hunches and bends her legs a bit.

Then she'll go run around like it's nothing and she'll eat for minutes on end before doing it again. It looks like it's caused by discomfort to me, but I am worried she may be sick or there is something I am unaware of. These are my babies, so I hope I can do something to help.

Is this something that could be caused by going broody? I have only ever raised pheasants and chickens before, these have been my first turkeys.

Thank you,
~Koey

She is possibly showing you and the tom mating signs. Laying down with the wings dropped but slightly spread out? She likely is ready to be or is being mated. Normal behavior. Im sure you will start seeing eggs from her soon if you aren't already. Not to say she may not be sick since we cant see her. Unless you have a pic of her doing it?

 

[Koeyohte]

EDIT: I did also check her vent. She is totally clean, there is no mess or anything that looks or smells bad. She is dry.

She also has always had oyster shells available. Recently I added more grit when feeding. Her croup is hard.


I will take pictures and possibly video tomorrow. I hadn't thought of that.

I am concerned it is egg-binding. But I was away for a few days while this was happening and my sister told me after I got back. So it's been a week. I did feel around and never felt anything that was hard.

She is straining, however, and seems weak at times. Other times, she gets right up and walks and eats like usual.

She also opens her mouth when she strains like she is gasping for air. I gave her a warm bath today after massaging the area to feel for a lodged egg but nothing was there and there hasn't been much change. She did get up and walk and try eating grasses while she was out.

I did add a pallet board and put some golf balls out there a few months back when I thought she might be ready. I will add pictures of this as well. I would like to add hay or straw (timothy hay maybe?). I may do this tomorrow if it seems helpful. She doesn't use the pallet board at all.

Does anyone here have any experience with egg-bound hens? I will add images and video tomorrow when it is light out again.

Thank you,
~Koey

 

[chicken pickin]

Has she laid any eggs yet? How old is she? And what state are you in?

Turkeys are seasonal breeders and egg layers, typically beginning in spring and ending in fall. Of course it also depends on your climate, if you live in a warmer state they will start sooner and possibly end later also.

I know here for me in NH it is still cold and snowy and my turkeys just started displaying mating behavior and have yet to start laying eggs. I know some people have already started getting eggs.

If she has not started laying yet I doubt she is egg bound. Not to say it isn't possible, just not likely.

Ill be looking forward to some pics and/or a video.

 

[Koeyohte]

They are just about a year (will be a year in March). She has never laid before. I live in Florida, so it is pretty warm and wet out all year round. This is the coolest part of the year.

I'll have the pictures and/or video up soon.

~Koey

 

[Koeyohte]

Here's a video... she is much better today so it only shows a tiny bit of her slouching posture and her droopy wings.

 

[Koeyohte]

That's the pallet board.

Its at an angle. The pheasant actually lays back there, I haven't seen her use it.

She stands like this much of the time. She ate a little this am and her croup is not full.

She also has her eyes closed often.