Hen not right

[Mark Whatley]

I'm concerned about one of my 4 Buff Orpington birds, all of which are 6 1/2 months old. I am getting 3 eggs a day pretty regularly, so one of them isn't laying yet; I feel sure it's the one I'm worried about. Her behavior is off and she has an odd walk, almost as if she has trouble standing, even when I set her down very gently. She is having loose poop, as evidenced by soiled feathers around her vent. The vent itself looks good; pink and not swollen. I wonder about her being egg bound, but I am not feeling an egg with my finger in her vent a very short distance. I am not feeling anything hard in her belly. I'm considering a warm Epsom salts bath for her to see if she lays after that. I should also add that the three layers do the squatty-down thing when I go to pick them up. The hen in question does not, which is why I think she's not laying. Any other thoughts or ideas greatly appreciated.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you have any pictures of her standing? A short video uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted here would be good if possible. I will check back in the morning.

 

[Mark Whatley]

Do you have any pictures of her standing? A short video uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo with a link posted here would be good if possible. I will check back in the morning.

Thanks for your reply. Will get a short video uploaded ASAP.

 

[Eggcessive]

They usually cannot pass droppings if they are eggbound, as far as I know. Loose droppings can be from what she is eating, how much she has had to drink, or possible infection or other problem. A picture of her standing from the side, and any pictures of abnormal droppings may be helpful.

 

[Mark Whatley]

Here’s a video link of the hen in question. I’m also attaching a photo of what I believe to be her overnight droppings.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to see if she is favoring one leg or the other. She could have injured a leg or hip, and just doesn’t want to move much. Cannyou see if she seems be limping on one leg more? At her age, and if she was not vaccinated, Mareks disease could be on a long list of possibilities, though I would rule out other issues first. Her tail position is up. Many times with a reproductive infection or issue, the tail may be lowered.

I would make sure that she is close to food and water for much of the day. At night, I would probably keep her inside a wire dog crate to sleep, so that she is not having to jump up to roost. I would also use some human vitamin B complex for the riboflavin (B2) in case she has a deficiency. 1/4 tablet daily crushed into her food or water would be a good dose. Other chicken vitamins can be used if they contain riboflavin. Hopefully, she will get better resting her leg. In the event she gets worse, let us know. You can clean up her vent area, possibly with a shallow bath, or trim excess feathers from her vent. Be sure to dry her with a hair dryer if she gets wet.

 

[Mark Whatley]

It is hard to see if she is favoring one leg or the other. She could have injured a leg or hip, and just doesn’t want to move much. Cannyou see if she seems be limping on one leg more? At her age, and if she was not vaccinated, Mareks disease could be on a long list of possibilities, though I would rule out other issues first. Her tail position is up. Many times with a reproductive infection or issue, the tail may be lowered.

I would make sure that she is close to food and water for much of the day. At night, I would probably keep her inside a wire dog crate to sleep, so that she is not having to jump up to roost. I would also use some human vitamin B complex for the riboflavin (B2) in case she has a deficiency. 1/4 tablet daily crushed into her food or water would be a good dose. Other chicken vitamins can be used if they contain riboflavin. Hopefully, she will get better resting her leg. In the event she gets worse, let us know. You can clean up her vent area, possibly with a shallow bath, or trim excess feathers from her vent. Be sure to dry her with a hair dryer if she gets wet.

Awesome. Thanks very much for the information. I have considered the possibility of an injured leg; at times it looks like she is favoring the right side. And I forgot to mention that for the last few days she is the last one out of the roost by a few minutes. Last week one of the bird (it may have been her) flew into the pool and I had to gently push her to the side where she flapped her wings wildly to get out. Maybe she hurt herself then. I took her inside and wrapped her up in a towel to dry her off.