HELP!! Sick Chicken, Can't Walk, Several Issues

[Itsamidge]

Hello,

I need help! Our chicken, Peep, is 2 years old. On Saturday we found her in the run standing with her tail down and her face turned around into her feathers. She wouldn't come to get treats, let alone move. We brought her inside where I have been giving her vitamins and electrolytes in her water, her regular feed and mealworms. At first I had to stuff the water down her throat with a dropper but she is now eating and drinking regularly. However, she can't walk. I noticed she has these pockets of dirt and poo between her toes. (One on each foot.) I cleaned them out with a highly diluted Providone-Iodine solution and put triple antibiotic ointment on them. She still can't walk. She wobbles a couple steps and them flops over. On top of this, she also seems to have a large ball at the bottom of her breast bone. It wasn't there yesterday so I'm thinking it could be an egg..?? Can some one please help??

Thanks,
Meredith

 

[chickengirly616]

@Itsamidge
I JUST went through this with my hen!!!! She had about five eggs break inside of her. Do you know how to check for an egg inside?? You have to be real careful doing it though.

 

[chickengirly616]

@Itsamidge
If you don't feel comfortable checking yourself, take her to the vet immediately! If she is egg bound, it can most likely be fatal within 24-48hrs. I hate to see someone else go though what I just went through!!! I can help any way I can. You can soak her in a warm bath for about 20-30 min. Sometimes that helps with the passing of the egg.

 

[Itsamidge]

No, I don't. But I have been giving her warm epsom salt baths to help her feet. Yesterday was the first day I felt what I believed was an egg. What do I need to do?

 

[casportpony]

No, I don't. But I have been giving her warm epsom salt baths to help her feet. Yesterday was the first day I felt what I believed was an egg. What do I need to do?

Was it an egg or was it her gizzard? Gizzard is located on the left side, egg would be in the middle.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Read this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...rgency-and-supportive-care-updated-10-30-2016

 

[Itsamidge]

Was it an egg or was it her gizzard? Gizzard is located on the left side, egg would be in the middle.

-Kathy

It was an egg. It's right in the middle below her breast bone towards her vent.

 

[Itsamidge]

@Itsamidge
If you don't feel comfortable checking yourself, take her to the vet immediately! If she is egg bound, it can most likely be fatal within 24-48hrs. I hate to see someone else go though what I just went through!!! I can help any way I can. You can soak her in a warm bath for about 20-30 min. Sometimes that helps with the passing of the egg.

I'm going to try another bath with epsom salts and also try to stick a finger in there to see if I can loosen it. Is there anything else I can do??

 

[chickengirly616]

@Itsamidge
Be careful with checking the egg you can break it. There are YouTube videos on how to check. I know you have to go straight back when inserting your finger. I know putting a little preparation H (any hemroid cream or lubricant) can help with passing. Give her lots of calcium... warm milk, oyster shells, etc. Or you can just take her to the vet. You don't want to wait too much longer. Egg bound is fatal within a few days. I didn't catch my girl in time but like I said, she was egg bound for awhile with more than 1 egg that all broke inside and it was already too late.
I'm no expert on this, so if someone else knows more than I do, take their advice. I hope this works for her!!!! Good luck!

 

[Itsamidge]

Is this blood?