Hen standing in nest box

[kiplingchick]

I have a mixed flock of 13 hens about 10 months old. Went out to collect eggs, and one of my Red Stars is standing in the nest, and is all puffed up. She did not even move a feather when I picked her up (she's usually quite fiesty) I felt her underside and backside thinking maybe she's eggbound but this is my first flock, and I don't really know what I'm feeling for. I have 2 Red Stars, and seems like I've only gotten one Red Star egg the last couple days. She would not take any BOSS from my hand and did not take water when offered.

What might this be?
What else should I be checking for?

Thank you!

 

[seminolewind]

Okay, you can hold her in a tub of warm water to help her pass the egg. You can lube up a finger and give her an internal exam. I felt an egg once, and I kept trying to lube around the egg , it was stuck.

 

[kiplingchick]

I brought her in a few hours ago and put her in a tub of warm water. she was calm for maybe 5 minutes and then got anxious. I dried her off and took her outside. She slowly walked back to the run, passed up the rest of the flock having a yogurt treat, stopped for a drink of water, and returned to the nest box. Just checked on her now (3 hrs) and she's still in the nest box. No egg, just a little greenish gooey poop.

 

[seminolewind]

It sounds like a stuck egg. I would still give her an internal exam, and possibly oil the skin inside around the egg if you can. And try another warm bath. If there's an egg there, it's got to come out.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://poultrykeeper.com/common-articles-to-all-poultry/health/egg-binding.html
Here is a UK web page on egg binding. I hope it helps.

 

[kiplingchick]

We soaked her in warm water twice last night. In between each soaking I tried applying some olive oil to the vent area. Tried to feel for an egg, but was too nervous to actually get my finger inside her. Dried her off and returned her to the nest box. She had a good drink of water with some Sav A Chick.

This morning she was still in the nest box, still no egg. She went out into the yard with the other birds. Will try another warm bath a little later.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[seminolewind]

You may want to feel for the egg, and get oil up around the egg if you can. I know it can be hard to give an internal, but it may be the only way to know for sure. I've had to do it once-several times before the egg came out. An egg is pretty big to pass-your finger won't hurt her. You feel all the way up.

I know there's alot of yucky stuff that comes with chickens, cleaning butts, possible crop surgery, etc.

I hope she gets better!

 

[chloezoebob101]

my chickens do that when they lay, but it might not be the same thing. they stand there puffed up and then push it out, then they hop out of the box, and go on with their normal lives.

 

[kiplingchick]

A couple hours ago my friend did an "internal" on her with olive oil. My friend is a chicken novice too, but braver than me. She said she felt something hard, but it didn't feel like an egg. Got the hen pretty lubricated, though. Still no egg laid. She's not very active, still puffed up and walks very slowly and gingerly. She did join the flock for some yogurt. Think I'll try another warm soak. Feel so bad for her

 

[seminolewind]

Yea, another good soak. Most people try for 30 minutes. I hope she passes what it is.