HELP! Eggbound

[erinnyes]

Here are some pictures I took of her, if they are helpful at all. The first picture shows the location of the lump (the pink area between the feathers), and the 2nd shows the lump more clearly, and the obvious feather loss in the area.

 

[new chick 203]

I think I would keep her comfortable and inside if you can and see how she is in the morning. I had a girl get a crop problem last year and I hate to say she did die. I hadn't been giving them grit because when they free range they pick it up on there own. What I didn't realize is that the ground was frozen and she wasn't getting enough. She had been picking at a bail of hay and got all clogged up (we found this out because the vet did an autopsy). Your girl may be just fine by morning, but you should keep her stress free and observe how she eats and poops. good luck.

 

[jessica.anne]

Is it possible she just has a full crop and when you went out to get her she was fluffed up in the nest cause she's wanting to go broody and you upset her when you moved her? Broody hens also pluck their chests...

 

[erinnyes]

Well, I will definitely be getting them grit tomorrow. Doesn't hurt even if they don't need extra, since they free range.

Sassypants (the affected hen) is still in my bathroom, and it's very warm in there. She seems to be relaxed and is pooping plenty. Come morning it's going to smell awful in there, but that's another thing.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between a full crop and an impacted one, but it's possible she was going broody? I guess if her crop is empty in the morning I will know that's what was going on!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Well, I will definitely be getting them grit tomorrow. Doesn't hurt even if they don't need extra, since they free range.

Sassypants (the affected hen) is still in my bathroom, and it's very warm in there. She seems to be relaxed and is pooping plenty. Come morning it's going to smell awful in there, but that's another thing.

I'm not sure how to tell the difference between a full crop and an impacted one, but it's possible she was going broody? I guess if her crop is empty in the morning I will know that's what was going on!

Her behavior sounds broody.

Her crop is full. What you want is for her crop to be much smaller in the morning.

 

[new chick 203]

How is she this morning?

 

[erinnyes]

Well, I feel sheepish! This morning Sassy's crop was normal-sized and she was behaving normally. I let her outside to join the flock and she headed for the coop. An hour later, she was back in her nestbox, trying to hatch some fake eggs I put in there for the pullets.

Clearly, I mistook the signs of a broody hen with a full, normal crop as a hen with something wrong with her. I must admit, I feel pretty embarassed for getting all worked up for what turned out to be nothing! But I'm really glad she's okay and I sure am grateful that you guys helped me out with advice on taking care of her and determining what was really going on!

 

[new chick 203]

That's great. Glad to hear it! Now you better get her some fertile eggs.

 

[erinnyes]

Sure thing! Can't pass up a free incubator.

 

[new chick 203]

Id this your first broody?