- Apr 16, 2011
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So, my flock is 20 weeks old today, and no eggs yet. This evening, right before sundown, I went to check on them. I noticed right away that one of my BO's, Lil'Buff, was puffed up. Not 100% puffed like the pictures some people have posted, but still fluffy. First thing I checked was her vent, which seemed to be sticking out just a little, like 1/4": While I was looking, another chicken noticed and pecked it. But I didn't get a good look. I checked for eggs and found nothing. When I looked at Lil'Buff again, she was depuffed! I looked at her bum again and saw nothing. Also, when I tried to hold her down and get a really good look, she squatted, kind of puffed and flattened at the same time, and made a TERRIFYING noise! Then she got into the coop and perched like nothing was wrong.
So, possibilities... I assume she's working on an egg, but does this mean that she's going to prolapse? Or is it normal for their vents to bulge or pulse when they are working on an egg, especially the first? Was the puffiness discomfort at working the egg out, and is that level of discomfort normal? Or maybe, seeing as she's a BO, she's acting a little broody? (It was a REALLY scary noise.) I'm worried about my sweet Lil'Buff!
So, possibilities... I assume she's working on an egg, but does this mean that she's going to prolapse? Or is it normal for their vents to bulge or pulse when they are working on an egg, especially the first? Was the puffiness discomfort at working the egg out, and is that level of discomfort normal? Or maybe, seeing as she's a BO, she's acting a little broody? (It was a REALLY scary noise.) I'm worried about my sweet Lil'Buff!
