eggbound or ?

[birdbrain5]

my RIR hen has been laying for a month or so now and thursday i noticed her acting unusual. she stayed in the coop when i let everyone out, but she looked fine so i didnt think much of it. i cant remember if i got an egg from her or not. then yesterday i let them out again and she stayed in and looked real odd, she had her head lower and her tail feathers were lower and she was just standing there. i coaxed her out and she walked real slow. she let the dogs come up to her which she usually would scoot a bit, and then she pecked at one of them. i coaxed her back into the coop after she stood outside in the same spot for a while. she went in and then i found her in the nest box. went back to check and no egg and she was out just standing there. she had some runny stuff come out of her behind, almost looked like egg but i have no idea. im new to this all and never had an issue and dont know signs really. i was told she could be going broody? i dont know. so lastnight i checked and she didnt roost with the others, she slept on the floor. this morning she is acting the same, she was standing there with her head under her wing, and when she looked up shes blinking a lot. my rooster is picking on her too which he usually doesnt. what is going on with her? i posted in behaviors and egglaying and really didnt get much help (thanks to those who did respond tho!) please let me know what you think!

 

[Judy]

The runny stuff suggests an egg broken inside her to me. A warm bath to relax her, then confinement in a darkened place is what I would try. There are several threads linked on the FAQ page about laying problems. Good luck.

 

[write2caroline]

My egg bound girl is "leaking some white stuff too but her egg is intact. I am wondering if they have a natural lubricant.

A broody girl will ruffle her feathers and make a godzilla like sound. Also her pupils will get tiny. when you approach her. Many of my girls go broody, especially my bantam cochins.

If you think she is egg bound you can feel inside of her vent for the egg. That is how I found out for sure on my girl. I used my deep sink and filled it and gently lowered her into the tub - my girls do not like running water but don't mind at all being lowered into the warm tub. She was so relaxed she ate the scratch I had around the tub and sat without me holding her for the 30 minutes she soaked. My girls don't like to be held much but I was there with her the whole time.

I was advised to give my egg bound girl a very warm bath and use olive oil on her vent - which I am doing.

Caroline