Hen is under the weather

[Englewood]

I have a 6 month old golden comet hen that isn't feeling so well. She seems lethargic and spends most of the time laying down. When she is up, she is kind of hunched over and carries her tail low. I have also found a giant poop that is about 2 inches long and almost the same width. It is quite solid and dry feeling. Maybe she is just a little backed up (not drinking enough) or maybe has some sort of egg problems. Her vent area is clean and dry. She is still eating and drinking, but not as much as usual.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Poop looks normal to me.

Has she laid an egg recently?

 

[Englewood]

She did lay an egg on Sunday, but not yesterday. I have six hens and usually get 5 or 6, but recently it has ususlly been 5. I have no way of telling who is laying what egg.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

If it were me, I would pick her up and check her all over. Check around vent and under wings for bugs. Run your hand over her "abdomen" area to see if you feel an egg shape. Does she appear to be trying to lay?

 

[BamaSilkies]

That looks like a broody poop. I suggest you give her a warm bath (if shes eggbound will help) and a good warm dry and see how she does.

 

[Englewood]

I checked her over and she did not appear to have an egg inside. I gave her a warm bath in the tub and heard lots of digestive noise. She pooped a couple of times, the first being large and dry and the second being very runny. She is still hunched over and is holding her wings low. I have her in the bathroom drying in a towel.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

It you have a hair dryer, go ahead and blow dry her. You will be surprised how relaxing they find it. Otherwise, it can take a long time for them to dry completely.

 

[Englewood]

I did use the hair dryer and she seemed to enjoy it. I was quite surprised.

 

[Englewood]

She hasn't gotten any better or worse. She still lays down almost all the time and seems very lethargic. At this point, I guess I'll just wait it out and see what happens.