Hen in laying box for no reason?

[Silviaschicks]

Hi,
I have a sapphire OE who is recovering from a sickness. She hasn't laid in a month and isn't well enough to be laying. However, she's spending lots of time in the laying box. Today she's been there for 2 hours and counting. The other day she was in there to sleep because the other girls kicked her off the roost, but in the past few days she's been on the roost and the other girls aren't up yet right now. I've read that hens that don't lay pretend to lay to seem normal, but she's spending way too much time on the laying box for her to be pretending. Any idea what's going on?

 

[Weeg]

Does she puff up, his or "purr" at you when you come close? Is she sitting on or hoarding eggs? She could be broody.
Have you seen any large SMELLY poops in the hen house? If so, those would be broody poops.

 

[esme13]

Does she make an interesting sound when you touch her or try to bite ?

 

[Silviaschicks]

She doesn't puff up or growl or bite me and I haven't seen any unusual poops. Her breathing is labored, I wonder if she's laying internally. The vet said that might be a cause of her sickness

 

[esme13]

Labored breathing is concerning. Have you seen her eat or drink today ? If you take her out of the laying box, does she try to retreat back to that area?

 

[Weeg]

She doesn't puff up or growl or bite me and I haven't seen any unusual poops. Her breathing is labored, I wonder if she's laying internally. The vet said that might be a cause of her sickness

Hmm, this doesn't sound like broody behavior. You mentioned a vet? Is this an avian vet experienced with poultry? Would it be an option to get her an appointment if you hadn't already? @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[neo71665]

She might be egg bound

 

[Silviaschicks]

Labored breathing is concerning. Have you seen her eat or drink today ? If you take her out of the laying box, does she try to retreat back to that area?

She's eating and drinking normally, if I remove her she doesn't care or go back

Hmm, this doesn't sound like broody behavior. You mentioned a vet? Is this an avian vet experienced with poultry? Would it be an option to get her an appointment if you hadn't already? @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

Yes, he's a chicken vet. Brought her a couple weeks ago

 

[Silviaschicks]

She might be egg bound

I gave her a warm bath and everything, what's weird is neither I nor the vet felt an egg. Is it possible she could be laying internally and absorbing/breaking down the egg?

 

[esme13]

I gave her a warm bath and everything, what's weird is neither I nor the vet felt an egg. Is it possible she could be laying internally and absorbing/breaking down the egg?

I do not know, there are so many variables it could be. Did the vet supply you with any supplements ? And was she tested for parasites ?