Hen in distress

[FrankA]

Hello, I have a 2.5 year old Barred Rock. For whatever reason, she has never laid an egg. Yesterday I noticed she was very lethargic and the feathers around her vent area were very wet and sticky. It appears to me that she passed a broken or shell less egg. Being that she has never laid an egg in her 2.5 years, I'm not sure if this was possible. Today she is still somewhat lethargic and is staying in the coop. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thank you in advance!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry you are having trouble.
Have you gently checked inside her vent to make sure there is no egg or shell remaining inside her?

It's possible she may have intermittently been laying internally which would be a reproductive disorder. How does her abdomen feel - normal, hard, soft, fluid filled, etc.?

You may want to separate her and give her a soak in an epsom salt bath. Check her vent. Provide some poultry vitamins in her water if you have them and offer wet feed with a little extra protein like egg, tuna, mackerel or meat.

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx