Hen is not acting normal self.

[Fareast]

She is about 2 years old. She is wanting to sleep in nesting box, butt is dirty, seems to lay down when pet her, constant open close of beak. Eating and drinking ok not sure if laying eggs still. No open wounds on feet or anywhere. Doesn’t want to be on her feet lot more often during day.

 

[micstrachan]

This is a problem. Can you keep her in a crate so you can tell if she is laying? Does she have a penguin-like stance?

 

[Fareast]

This is a problem. Can you keep her in a crate so you can tell if she is laying? Does she have a penguin-like stance?

Not really penguin stance. She has been like this about a week. She just walks low to ground and when i pet her she goes all way down mainly on one side.

 

[micstrachan]

Any clucking while she walks?

 

[Fareast]

Any clucking while she walks?

No.

 

[micstrachan]

Just was hoping she could be broody. I don’t think she is. It could be a laying disorder. Can you check if her abdomen (butt fluff) is bloated? How about her breast muscle. Is it wasting away?

 

[Mo'sMenagerie]

Sounds like it would be a good idea to get her away from the other birds in a quiet place to keep an eye on her. Do you have a way to quarantine her? Maybe in a large dog crate in your house with bedding and food and water? Then you could check to see if she has any of the symptoms @micstrachan is asking about. Might be a good idea to get her some vitamins and electrolytes too.

 

[Fareast]

Just was hoping she could be broody. I don’t think she is. It could be a laying disorder. Can you check if her abdomen (butt fluff) is bloated? How about her breast muscle. Is it wasting away?

Her back side is firm and bloated compared to my other 2 hens. If egg bound would she survive longer than a week?

 

[micstrachan]

Her back side is firm and bloated compared to my other 2 hens. If egg bound would she survive longer than a week?

No. Bloating is ascites, fluid accumulation. It can be from a number of different things... cancer, reproductive problems, organ failure or infection. If she were mine, I’d treat aggressively with antibiotics. Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and hope it’s just an infection. Is an avian vet an option for you? They could drain some fluid to help determine the cause. So sorry. Can you tell if it’s firm, like pulled taut with fluid or if there could be something solid in there? Is her comb still bright red? She could be laying internally.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thinking possible egg bound?
Got these possible treatments from my collected notes ...

Egg Ascites - tetracycline
Egg Bound - warm soak in Epsom Salt, Tums smashsed & keep in dark room, humidity, feel for egg w/ glove *****Suprelorin Implants ******
Egg Peritonitis - Tums, Calcium Citrate w/D3, Calcium Carbonate w/D3
Egg Salpingitis/Lash Egg - Baytril, Fish Mox, Enrofloxacin, Amoxicillin