Hen Straining to 💩

[FernhillMama]

I’ve got a 6 mo old silkie hen who has just hatched 5 chicks this week. I let her and the babies out for a little while today to graze and noticed she was straining to poop. She pooped and it looked relatively normal (big broody poo), but as she walked around she would strain and squeak. I could see her vent protrude and a little fecal material come out.

She has been pooping every other day while setting on her eggs. The eggs just started hatching Tuesday and finished Thursday.

Could she be egg bound or just constipated?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She may be constipated.

Give her 1 teaspoon coconut oil twice a day. Refrigerate the oil and break it into chunks, usually they will gobble it up. She may want to feed some to her chicks, I see no harm in it myself if the chicks eat or get a bit of oil, but she's the one that needs it.

See that she's drinking well.

 

[FernhillMama]

She may be constipated.

Give her 1 teaspoon coconut oil twice a day. Refrigerate the oil and break it into chunks, usually they will gobble it up. She may want to feed some to her chicks, I see no harm in it myself if the chicks eat or get a bit of oil, but she's the one that needs it.

See that she's drinking well.

Thank you!