Hen is lethargic, vent is Really poopy, egg-bound?

[dawg53]

Since you suspect your hen is eggbound, I recommend you soak her in warm water like you were doing. Gently massage her underside for about 10-15 minutes. Then wear a plastic glove and lube your fingers with olive oil. Insert well lubed finger in her vent to feel for any obstructions. Lube the inside and outside her vent with olive oil. The warm water will expand her innards and the olive oil will make it easier to lay the egg. There's another possibility; you stated she's acting lethargic...I recommend you check her poop for worms. Good luck.

 

[pixie546]

Thanks for the oil tip. We are about to give her another soak so we will try that afterwards. I didn't see any worms in her poops. Unless they are tiny? They are just kinda watery runny poops.

 

[geebs]

sounds like worms or illness.... I would give her some apple cider vinegar in her water and some pumpkin.. And then start her on feed that contained seeds, tumeric, DE and cinnamon... and give her some canned cranberry sauce.. That will boost her a little..Do a lice check also. A day or two later... give yogurt. Stop bathing her... If she is in distress you will likely make it worse... she doesn't sound eggbound... She sounds parasite ridden... You need to build her back up from the inside with good nutrition if you can get her to eat...

 

[Katewward]

I loved the picture of Julia in the sink! How cute.

I'm sorry that she is still not well. Keep up the good work. You seem to be
keeping a very close eye on your gal. She's lucky to have you. Good luck!

 

[pixie546]

Hi- so there has been no change in Julia. We've given her a few baths, which she likes. She's eaten some bugs and mealworms and rice, and a little cranberry sauce. I just bought some tumeric to sprinkle in her food. Her vent looks fine- nothing looks blown out or bulging or red, so I'm hesitant to stick a finger in there with olive oil. But she is still tucking her tail down and won't walk except in baby steps, and she won't cluck or coo or anything. We've seen no worms in her poop. Maybe she just stopped laying for the winter. We have never seen a chicken act like her, and there is no money for a vet. She doesn't appear to be in pain, except the tail drooping indicates some problem that we can't figure out. So that's what's going on, friends, and I will keep you posted!

 

[Ravishaw]

my fingers are crossed!

 

[Lesa]

Have you inspected the bottom of her feet, for bumble foot? Sometimes they act kind of listless with that... I take the fact that she is not getting any worse, to be a very good sign. Usually, they go down hill fast if it is something bad. Keep up the good work!

 

[pixie546]

Hi everyone- no change in Julia. Her feet look fine. She's just not 100% and it's soooo cold we are hesitant about letting her stay out. But I guess she's not eggbound or mortally ill. I'll let you know if something changes!!!!