Hen sick and acting odd

[sadiefaith]

We have a 4 yo hen; a great chicken and layer. yesterday, we found her with the following symptoms: head tucked in; puffed up; and standing/hunching and moving very little. we checked for egg bound; nothing found abnormal. her crop was full last night, emptied this morning. ate just a little this morning.
we are unsure of what to do next to help her-we do not have her isolated yet so i cannot comment on her poop. suggestions for next step to help her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm sorry she's not feeling well.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?

Hard to know, but with her age she may be having some reproductive issues. Either having a hard time expelling a soft shell egg or she's showing symptoms of something like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, etc.

Photos of the poop would be good.
Normally I leave my hens with the flock unless they are being picked at, but I do take them aside for examination, to get them hydrated, etc.

 

[sadiefaith]

I'm sorry she's not feeling well.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?

Hard to know, but with her age she may be having some reproductive issues. Either having a hard time expelling a soft shell egg or she's showing symptoms of something like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, cancer, etc.

Photos of the poop would be good.
Normally I leave my hens with the flock unless they are being picked at, but I do take them aside for examination, to get them hydrated, etc.

thank you; as an update; we soaked her and did another exam and a "feel" to determine if there was an egg. when I do so, there was a small amount of what appeared to be yolk and a very small, small amount of a green-ish poop. she ate a very, very small amount but pretty much just standing around, and shaped like a football

 

[sadiefaith]

thank you; as an update; we soaked her and did another exam and a "feel" to determine if there was an egg. when I do so, there was a small amount of what appeared to be yolk and a very small, small amount of a green-ish poop. she ate a very, very small amount but pretty much just standing around, and shaped like a football

also, from what i know, she lays eggs daily however, she may have missed a day with these new events

 

[sadiefaith]

also, from what i know, she lays eggs daily however, she may have missed a day with these new events

and thank you so much for responding and for any assistance or suggestions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

thank you; as an update; we soaked her and did another exam and a "feel" to determine if there was an egg. when I do so, there was a small amount of what appeared to be yolk and a very small, small amount of a green-ish poop. she ate a very, very small amount but pretty much just standing around, and shaped like a football

also, from what i know, she lays eggs daily however, she may have missed a day with these new events

Poor dear.
Sounds like she may have had a membrane leak yolk or she may have laid internally - speculation on my part.

If she's not lethargic, giving her a soak daily may be soothing.
I would try to get her hydrated, if you have poultry vitamins give a direct dose once a day for a few days too. See if she will eat for you, often they go off their feed but will eat a few goodies like scrambled egg, grapes, tomato or watermelon. Wet feed is sometimes good too.

Check to see that her crop is empty in the morning.
Of course vet care is best, but if you feel that that was egg yolk upon examination, then that can cause infection in the oviduct. If she were mine, I would consider administering an antibiotic. Do you have something on hand?
Amoxicillin may be helpful - some Tractor Supply stores carry that (Fish Mox) otherwise you would need to order online. Baytril is also sometimes used, but it is not approved for use in laying hens (do some reading up on that).