Help Me - Possible Egg Bound??

[speckledhen]

Your post seemed to focus on her egg apparatus so it didn't seem to be the crop, but now that you have discussed further, I think she had a crop issue from something she ate that was moldy. It's possible that her crop developed a fungus from that, maybe some mold in the feed. Green poop is mostly a sign that food is not being processed or getting through. In that case, the food just stays in the crop and is mushy, but won't pass out the proventriculus. You could only have done crop surgery on her and removed the gunk. I lost two hens this year to some bad feed (co-op had a flood and didn't remove that bad--being plastic, couldnt tell it had been wet) that I wasn't aware of till we were at the bottom of the bag. I did crop surgery on the second one, but it was too late and she died the next day. Others did eat the feed, but those two hens were in molt and their systems were already depleted. Thought the last one would make it because she did begin eating and perked up for awhile. So, unless you were willing to cut open her crop and empty it or have a vet do the same, there's nothing you could have done. Always check your feed, smell it, see if some is clumped together, meaning it got wet.

I'm not sure that was her only issue and I am not a vet, nor did I see your bird, so take everything with a grain of salt. I know it's hard, but for the future, if you have a bird whose crop feels "doughy" and lots of green watery poop, could be crop stasis.

ETA: If she was egg bound, you could have felt the egg in her oviduct through the vent, however, if she was laying internally, there was nothing you could have done. I've saved a few with reproductive infections with penicillin, but failed to save about half of them. The only permanent cure for internal laying is a hysterectomy, an expensive proposition and not something most would consider for a hen.

Also, I have moved this thread to Emergencies. It may have seen more traffic here, I think.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Quote:
Thank you so much Tala for this very valuable information!! Sorry I just am now replying, I have been busy this weekend tending to my TWO NEW RHODDE ISLAND RED CHICKS

I thank you so much for you concern!! I am also so sorry to hear about your cockerel.

HUGS back at you! It is very sad.....but, at least they are in a better place now.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Quote:
More excellent onfo...Thank you so much speckled hen. I may have to investigate the crop surgery further....not usre I personally could do it, but my husband could probably handle the task, if....we should ever run into this again. We will check our food too. Our other chickens seem perfectly fine right now.

Thanks again, have a great week.

 

[maplesky7]

huh... makes me wonder about one of mine I just lost...with the moldy feed...

I too just lost my FAVORITE rooster... he was a one of speckledhen's famous here at byc roo- "Suede's" offspring I got from eggs from another byc person, Buster. He hatched last May.

He was looking so much like Suede and was the MOST handsomest man I ever laid eyes upon. He just fell ill one one day and 3 days later, died. I thought whatever it was that maybe he could fight it and get well with the right treatment...but what was the right treatment? All of a sudden he couldn't walk or walked drunk like and had runny poo. He didn't keep his tail down, he kept it straight up...way up.

He was bright eyed when you came to see him and try to give him some yogurt and food...he wasn't eating or drinking much. He shook his head like he enjoyed me and my 2 little girls pets. I didn't really know what was wrong or how to fix it and I reached out here but there are no concrete answers. All you can do is try your best in searching for answers to treat and make them as comfortable as you can in their end days.

 

[AHappychick]

i did not read through everything but did not see if you opened up her crop to see, if it is not too late open it up. then you will know what blocked her up. I lost one because she ate the straw I used for bedding, I meant to use hay but mispoke at the feed store and got straw instead.

, sorry.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

Quote:
Oh, this is so sad. I'm sorry for your loss.

My hubby wanted to look inside her after she passed, but he didnt want to cut her because he thought it would upset me too much, so he just laid her to rest (while I was at work). I actually asked him if we could dig her up after a month or so, to see if the silk flower is in there. That may sound morbid, but I seriously have to know. We will see......not decided yet.

Again, sorry to hear your sadness and thank you for sharing with me.

 

[gardenak]

I'm sorry for your loss- I lost one yesterday as well and I thought it was from being egg bound. Now I'm not so sure. Her crop was full and she went fast. I know the feed was o.k., but she had been out doing chicken things in the garden the day before. I only had 5 of possible 7 eggs the day before and 3 yesterday. I personally don't have the stomach for necropsy so I guess I'll never know.

Now off to get a replacement!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I'm new to BYC so I'm afraid I can't be of any practical help. I do grow terribly attached to my pets and I'm a bit nervous about this whole chicken adventure because it seems that so much can go wrong. I have a macaw and have raised exotic birds..but in cages or aviaries...controlled environments. What I do know about birds is that they don't show any signs of illness until it's very serious. Many times there is nothing that can be done except to keep the bird comfortable. I'm not saying to not try...but don't beat yourself up over what you should have done. Every experience is a lesson that you will take something from, or that others here on the BYC forum will take something from. I'm sorry that you lost your sweet girl.