Hen acting lethargic, eggshell stuck near vent (Picture)

[Squeaky-Chicken-Mom]

I noticed today that my nearly 1-year-old red star, Pele, who is usually the most enthusiastic of our little flock, was hanging behind the other hens, not running to greet me and generally acting lethargic and not very responsive. When turned away from me a noticed a lot of droppings on her poofy rear feathers, which I remembered reading is not usually normal. I lifted her tail and saw an eggshell stuck under her vent, which seemed to be dried on as I couldn't easily remove it, but I didn't want to hurt her so I didn't tug very hard. It felt somewhat squishy, though, not as rigid as a normal eggshell.

Could an egg have broken inside her? If not, what might be happening?

Between quarantine and the price, I don't know if I could take her to the vet. I will if I have to, but advice on anything I could do from home would be appreciated.

Here's a picture of the eggshell on her butt:

(I don't know if it's a related incident, but also a few months ago I found her in the early morning outside of the coop while our other hens were sleeping, next to two soft-shelled eggs and acting dazed. She was fine in the morning, but it really freaked me out then.)

 

[Squeaky-Chicken-Mom]

Bumping this up because I haven't got any replies and am still concerned. (I hope that's allowed?)

She has been staying by our waterer and not moving a lot. She has stood up and walked around slightly a few times, but didn't scratch or really do anything other than that.

 

[Lobo123]

Poor hen. I would separate her from the rest of the flock. I've never dealt with this, but I'll try to help in the meantime.

Hopefully, it wasn't a hard-shelled egg. If the poor thing had a hard eggshell crack inside of her, those shards could puncture her insides. I remember seeing a similar thread like this one, hopefully, someone else can come.

Are your hens receiving enough calcium? That could be the root of your problems if the eggs aren't developing a hard shell.

 

[Lobo123]

Here I found an article, lots of useful information:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

 

[micstrachan]

How is your girl? I agree calcium could possibly be an issue. I have a pullet who sometimes has issues making hard shells. A little calcium therapy seems to get her back on track.

I would treat your girl with calcium in case she needs help contracting to expel anything. Is she drinking excessively? Poor dear clearly is not feeling well if she’s sitting around. Feel if her abdomen (fluffy butt) seems swollen or bloated. What do you feed your flock?

I would not separate her yet unless the others are picking on her. That could add more stress. You want her as stress free as possible.

Here is my trick for treating with calcium:

• Crush a calcium pill (I use calcium citrate plus D3) between two spoons
• Put crushed calcium into a little bowl and add a little water. Use the back side of a spoon to crush tge remaining chunks.
• Add a teaspoon (ish) of baby bird formula. You can use crumble or pellet.
• Mix the wet feed and calcium.
• Temporarily separate the sick bird to have the calcium treat in peace.
• After she eats it, return her to the flock.

Good luck and let us know how she does. She may need additional help, and we have more ideas to offer. I’d start with the calcium.

 

[Squeaky-Chicken-Mom]

Remarkably, today I went out to check on her and she is acting pretty normal. I can't even see the shell stuck to her fluff. It's only the morning, so I'll have to keep an eye on her for sure, but could she have passed the egg on her own?

I'll definitely still try to give them calcium. In the past, though, when I'd tried to give them their own crushed up eggshells, they weren't at so interested in eating any. I can try what you said, micstrachan, though I don't have any baby bird formula. (I purchased my girls as pullets.) I could try putting some in raisins, like the article said, and see if that helps.