Help! Egg bound or worse??

[Temere]

I found my hen in the nest box today falling asleep while squatting. This is strange to me because 1) she was falling asleep standing up and 2) I already got all my eggs accounted for today (although one might’ve been laid last night?). Not sure if she’s egg bound for a few days and the 4th one today was from yesterday or if it’s cocci/Marek’s and she’s just trying to hide in the nest box from her sisters. I noticed she had a stream of white poo on her bottom so I cleaned her up and gave her a soak in an epsom salt bath. She LOVED it until something spooked her 5-10 minutes in and she got a second wind. After becoming energized, she immediately went to the waterer, drank, and even joined her sisters in the run for a bit. She was standing a bit scrunched up outside and the others were lightly pecking at her bottom so she jumped (struggling a bit) back into the coop and has been in the nest box since. We do not have a vet in the area although I do have some probiotics, ointments, ACV, hemp oils, epsom salts (as stated), sourdough starter, and medicated chick feed on hand. I doubt any of those would help, but if there’s something I can whip up at home, that would be her best shot. Thank you in advanced!

 

[alinas2010]

I found my hen in the nest box today falling asleep while squatting. This is strange to me because 1) she was falling asleep standing up and 2) I already got all my eggs accounted for today (although one might’ve been laid last night?). Not sure if she’s egg bound for a few days and the 4th one today was from yesterday or if it’s cocci/Marek’s and she’s just trying to hide in the nest box from her sisters. I noticed she had a stream of white poo on her bottom so I cleaned her up and gave her a soak in an epsom salt bath. She LOVED it until something spooked her 5-10 minutes in and she got a second wind. After becoming energized, she immediately went to the waterer, drank, and even joined her sisters in the run for a bit. She was standing a bit scrunched up outside and the others were lightly pecking at her bottom so she jumped (struggling a bit) back into the coop and has been in the nest box since. We do not have a vet in the area although I do have some probiotics, ointments, ACV, hemp oils, epsom salts (as stated), sourdough starter, and medicated chick feed on hand. I doubt any of those would help, but if there’s something I can whip up at home, that would be her best shot. Thank you in advanced!View attachment 4130697

Hello sorry your hen isn’t feeling well. How old is she? Electrolytes may be a good start if you have any on hand. The first things that come to my mind are egg binding or crop issues when I see behavior you’re describing.

Have you checked her crop? How does it feel first thing in the morning? It should be flat. It is also possible she is egg bound. Even if she isn’t, It won’t hurt to treat her for it by giving her 400-600mg of human vitamin calcium citrate plus d3. Pull her wattles down (gently) and pop the pill in her mouth whole and she will swallow it once you let her wattles go.

 

[Temere]

Hello sorry your hen isn’t feeling well. How old is she? Electrolytes may be a good start if you have any on hand. The first things that come to my mind are egg binding or crop issues when I see behavior you’re describing.

Have you checked her crop? How does it feel first thing in the morning? It should be flat. It is also possible she is egg bound. Even if she isn’t, It won’t hurt to treat her for it by giving her 400-600mg of human vitamin calcium citrate plus d3. Pull her wattles down (gently) and pop the pill in her mouth whole and she will swallow it once you let her wattles go.

Thank you for the reply! We believe she is around 2 years old(we inherited them a few months ago so we are unsure exactly).
I just checked her crop and it felt empty/I was not able to feel anything there. I did not see her eating in the last few hours so that seems right. I put some crumble in front of her and she happily gobbled it up. She’s gone for water twice since I noticed the behavior. She is still in the crate and not roosting with the other girls though.
I did notice one egg seemed brittle and pale today so I threw some more oyster shells in the run for them. I will try a calcium citrate boost for her in the morning and update. Thank you for wattle trick as well!

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you for the reply! We believe she is around 2 years old(we inherited them a few months ago so we are unsure exactly).
I just checked her crop and it felt empty/I was not able to feel anything there. I did not see her eating in the last few hours so that seems right. I put some crumble in front of her and she happily gobbled it up. She’s gone for water twice since I noticed the behavior. She is still in the crate and not roosting with the other girls though.
I did notice one egg seemed brittle and pale today so I threw some more oyster shells in the run for them. I will try a calcium citrate boost for her in the morning and update. Thank you for wattle trick as well!

No problem. I hope she starts to feel better. Keep us updated.