Hen, not laying, looks poorly. Need your help.

[Pete Line]

My 8 year boy recently got four Isa Brown hens and they have been laying for a few weeks now. I have been away for a couple of weeks and for just over a week now he has only been getting 3 eggs instead of 4. He got a few double yokers just before they dropped to 3 eggs per day - not sure if it is related. Now one hen is looking poorly - comb is small compared to the others, hen looks swollen at the front. It is eating OK. Any ideas where to start?

 

[wynn4578]

Can you post some pictures of her?

 

[Pete Line]

Here are the pictures:

 

[wynn4578]

where does she spend most of her day. Does she go out and forage or does she stay in the chicken house or on the roost?

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

Ok, this is going to sound gross but you MUST do it:

Do you have any medical gloves or plastic gloves?Or maybe a thin plastic sandwich bag?Put it on, and GENTLY with one finger feel inside her vent, not to far.Do you feel a egg?If so, You MUST soak her I'm ebsonsalt water.She might be egg bound.Is she walking like a penguin?Eating or drinking?

You have to act fast, Etgbound can kill quick.y

 

[Pete Line]

Thanks. Up until yesterday she was walking around with the others, but today she has stayed in the house.

 

[wynn4578]

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Pete Line]

Couldn't feel any egg. Gave her a bath of epsom salts for 20 minutes. Now sitting in a box looking very sorry for herself. Pecked at a bit of food, but no water.