HELP! Hen suddenly sick and injured *UPDATE* 3/15

[lex381]

my chicken was eggbound a few days ago but we kept her in the house for 2 days, gave her a warm bath and then she started perking up. i wish i could give more advice but this is my first time with chickens. Good Luck and i hope your chickens feel better!

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Well, Barbara seems a little perkier today, and she is still eating and drinking heartily.

but she still has her tail down and stays in the "penguin position"...

I still don't feel an egg in her. Would someone mind walking me through exactly where I should be feeling for an egg, her belly feels chubby and squishy, and I don't feel any lumps or masses. Her back area feels bony. I'm at a complete loss here.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Well, I may be talking to myself now, but here goes anyway...

Barbara is the same today as yesterday (see pics). Still in the same body position. Still alert, eating, drinking, pooping normally. Still no sign of an egg. She does not walk normally and likes to stay propped up against a wall.
Should I continue to feed her scrambled eggs, plain yogurt, and layer pellets? I have idea what else to do for her.

 

[wood&feathers]

Not talking to yourself. I'm a newbie too, just listening and learning.

 

[Mandalina]

i am sorry Barbara is sick. I dont know what to say about how she is sitting, it could be possible her back or legs was injured during the fight and you just cant feel it.

 

[kristen2678]

How long has it been, 3 days or so? I'm NO expert, new at this actually, but she's been through a lot in just a few days. Maybe she just needs more time. I'd keep up the supportive services. Food, water, maybe some vitamins. Keep her warm and happy. I think stressful situations can cause them to stop laying for a while. Eating drinking and pooping are all good signs. I can't remember if earlier in the thread you mentioned if a vet was an option or not....

 

[KKatknap]

Robin - do a search for "internal layer". It's different from egg bound, and something in your description of her belly tripped a memory for me. One of the links even mentioned a "penguin position".


I will look for a couple of links to post.

ETA - This is the best one, I think. I didn't like how most turned out. I hope it's not that, but speckled hen could be a great help if it is.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=195347&p=1

 

[Robin'sBrood]

Kkatknap, I searched and read through some posts on it... very interesting. Maybe she is laying internally,

I don't even know if she has been laying this winter since not all of my girls are laying right now. The not knowing and not being able to help her is the pits!


Kristen, due to lots of human medical bills I'm afraid a vet trip for a hen isn't an option right now.

 

[Dora'smom]

I have been following this thread, and hope your chickie is better soon. I don't have the experience to offer much, except that I think there is more going on. Researching internal layer information may prove to be very helpful. Are you sure there is no injury to her bottom. The way she is sitting penguin-like makes me think she is guarding that area. Best of wishes.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

No, no injury to her bottom. Her only injuries were to her comb and the top of her head, where she got pecked on the first day (and probably the next morning) that I noticed she was ill. I felt her abdomen over again and it still feels chubby, but it isn't nearly as squishy as it was 2 days ago. It feels pretty tight now. She didn't act like I was hurting her though, which is good. I would hate to hurt her doing my novice examinations of her belly.

So, penguin stance + tightening/firmer belly =