Hen illness advice after going to the vets

[georgiashens]

Hi everyone! This morning, I went out to the coop and saw that my Buff Sussex hen was laying down looking lethargic. When I went in, I picked her up which she literally never lets me do so i could feel her crop. It was completely empty and as I put her down, she pooped a small green poop and her black end was bobbing up and down. She was just stood there hunched over with her eyes shut. I called the vet and he booked her in for an appointment right away. When we were there, he felt her and said that she’s egg bound. He kept her in for a couple of hours and she finally passed the egg. I think they gave her some warm baths?

Anyway, she’s back home now but I’m still a bit concerned. She’s still really lethargic and her bums still bobbing up and down. She also won’t eat and is just sitting in the nest box. She walking really strangely and just doesn’t seem any better at all. Is this normal after this sort of thing or should she be okay? Why is she just sat in the nest boxes with her back end sort of contracting? Was it something else that was misdiagnosed?

The others seem okay but I have noticed one or two having very watery diarrhoea. I have added pictures of this!

 

[alinas2010]

Hi, sorry to hear about her egg troubles. I would guess she’s having more egg binding issues. Even though she passed an egg at the vet she may still have another one backed up. Happens to one of my hens often in the summertime for some reason. Do you know if the vet gave her any calcium? You can treat egg binding at home by giving 400-600mg of calcium citrate plus D3. It is a human vitamin found in the vitamin isle of most stores. Sometimes vets give calcium injections for egg binding, though, so I would find out if your vet did that. I don’t think it’d hurt to give more but I’m not for sure. It would be good to know if they did give her some so you aren’t giving too much.

If you decide to give her the vitamin yourself, give it to her whole. Simply pull her wattles down gently and pop the pill near the back corner of her mouth. She should swallow no problem.

 

[townchicks]

I second continuing to dose with calcium. Get the human calcium citrate with vit D. Give her one twice a day until she perks up. The pills seem huge but she can swallow them, trust me. I would keep her separated from the others for now, they may pick on her. Encourage her to eat, offer some scrambled egg or wet mash. Do you have oyster shell available free choice? You should, even if you feed layer feed, some girls just need more.

 

[georgiashens]

Update:
I brought her in because she hasn’t got any better and I want to keep an eye on her overnight. I have given her some electrolyte water but she still hasn’t eaten or drank anything. She did a poo (I will attach the picture). Unfortunately I don’t have any calcium pills at this time but will try and look for them again tomorrow, what would they be called in the UK? She’s not laying down at all, she’s just standing there with her bum bobbing up and down. I’m a bit worried that being inside may stress her out more, she’s a very nervous chicken. I will make some scrambled eggs for her now

 

[georgiashens]

Here’s the pic of the poop

 

[georgiashens]

 

[theoldchick]

You can always have your vet do a fecal.

 

[coach723]

You just need some calcium citrate +D, human supplement, any brand. Citracal is a common one the US, available at any store carrying vitamins and supplements.

 

[georgiashens]

oh and one more thing! She layed an egg yesterday and one came out today at the vets. I’m confused why she is still displaying symptoms of being egg bound. Could this be possible? Should I be treating her as if she were egg bound? I’m worried about putting her into shock with the stress of it all

 

[alinas2010]

oh and one more thing! She layed an egg yesterday and one came out today at the vets. I’m confused why she is still displaying symptoms of being egg bound. Could this be possible? Should I be treating her as if she were egg bound? I’m worried about putting her into shock with the stress of it all

I wouldn’t say it’s impossible. My hen for sure has had two backed up in one day and laid both that day. Not sure if she had laid the day before or not, I cannot remember. Did the vet happen to say if she laid a soft shelled egg or not? The bobbing you’re describing sounds like an egg binding thing, but maybe it is something else? Could you post some more pics of her stance if it won’t bother her too much?

If she is too stressed out, do not soak her again if you have been is what I would suggest. I agree with others, I’d give calcium as soon as possible, just in case. Also, place her somewhere dark, quiet and warm to try to pass an egg if she is egg bound. Giving her calcium when she doesn’t necessarily need it shouldn’t harm her, just don’t over do it. I have given my hen surplus calcium before without consequences. Can you feel an egg in her abdomen, between her legs anywhere? Some people can, I never have been able to on my egg bound hens.

Is her abdomen bulgy at all or feel like a water balloon? Has she has reproductive issues ever?