Enlarged Vent

[MilesFluffybutt]

Good morning,

I have a 18WO Silkie hen that has an enlarged vent. She hasn't started laying yet, but she has to be close. I've felt her vent and her abdomen for swelling, hardness and abnormalities and nothing feels out of the ordinary. Her poops are good. She's eating and drinking normally.

I know when unspayed dogs go into heat, their lady parts swell so I was wondering if this is the case with chickens.

 

[Abriana]

A laying hen will have a large, round, moist vent, and a non laying hen will have a tight dry vent. I think she is just getting ready to lay. I wouldn't be concerned, just keep checking for those eggs!

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Great! Thank you, Abriana. That's kind of what I figured, but I wanted to confirm.

 

[Abriana]

No problem!