Head shaking/Possible Straining

[whatsthequestion]

I noticed this pullet was sleeping to herself on the low bar last night and thought it odd. She is a top bar sleeper. Today, she has been either standing very still on the floor or on the roost sitting or sleeping, shaking her head a lot (this video only captures some of it at the beginning) and if you look towards her rear it appears she may be straining. I have read through other posts but am supposed to be leaving for a day with someone else caring for them and wanted to see what it might be. I hear no gasping. She has been laying but I am not sure about yesterday. I think we were one egg short but with several chickens it's hard to tell whose is whose.

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[Eggcessive]

If you place her on the ground, is her tail still held low or up? Can she walk normally? I am not sure about the head shaking, but it can be to get rid of secretions from her beak, a neurological problem, or irritation from lice or mites. Does she have any nasal drainage, watery bubbles in an eye, or noisy breathing? Can you offer some water to drink and some cooked egg bits?

I would insert a clean finger into her vent 1-2 inches to feel for a stuck egg. She could be egg bound, and if you feel an egg, give her a calcium tablet or Tums. Then either soak her in warm water or place her on a warm wet towel on a heat pad set to low. Bring her in where it is warm to do that. Use a blowdryer afterward to get her dry. That is to relax her to lay an egg. Only do the calcium and bath if you feel an egg.

 

[whatsthequestion]

I noticed this pullet was sleeping to herself on the low bar last night and thought it odd. She is a top bar sleeper. Today, she has been either standing very still on the floor or on the roost sitting or sleeping, shaking her head a lot (this video only captures some of it at the beginning) and if you look towards her rear it appears she may be straining. I have read through other posts but am supposed to be leaving for a day with someone else caring for them and wanted to see what it might be. I hear no gasping. She has been laying but I am not sure about yesterday. I think we were one egg short but with several chickens it's hard to tell whose is whose.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Thank you for your assistance! She was a bit stiff walking. It turned out to be a huge egg. She's back to normal laying today. The incessant head shaking also stopped once the egg was out. I feel like I'm "winging it" (pun intended) sometimes. I'm finding not everything they do looks textbook and I don't want to make a foolish mistake. Also, my husband has a lifetime of experience with cattle but zero experience with chickens. So, when one isn't well and I have to leave he wants to make sure I have all the information he needs. He's also been very appreciative of the help I've received here.

 

[Eggcessive]

So glad that she laid the egg and is back to normal. What part of WV are you in? I live near Huntington.

 

[whatsthequestion]

So glad that she laid the egg and is back to normal. What part of WV are you in? I live near Huntington.

I live near Beckley.