I guess I need some reassurance here. I have 90 chickens - dual purpose New Hampshires, Buckeyes and Buff Bantam Cochins. I have had chickens for 4 years and have never taken one to the vet. I have always handled illnesses myself. This time, one of my February hatch NH hens, Penny, has completely endeared herself to the whole family. When we are outside in lawn chairs or sitting on a bale of straw, she comes up and actually jumps on our laps and sits there talking to us. It is safe to say she is more like a loved pet than a production bird. This past week she started dropping her tail and her comb was becoming droopy. I could see her abdomen looked larger than normal. I started feeling carefully and could feel an egg in her abdomen. This is her first egg and she seems young to start laying. Over the past several days I have tried everything such as warm baths and vasoline in her vent and trying to get the egg out. It seems that there is extra tissue around the egg and I can't even get it broken. She has been a trooper but I can't get the egg out and now there is another one in there. I have called my avian vet who is an hour and a half away and I am taking off work tomorrow to take Penny down to see if she can save her. I am not made of money and my DH is laid off right now, but I am taking all the money I got last week for my birthday to see if there is anything that can help her. The people at work thinks I am certifiable nuts, but even my DH is attached enough to Penny he agrees we need to do more for her. I haven't been able to sleep well because this silly little hen is so dear to me. Please tell me if you think I am as crazy as all the people in my office thinks?!! What have any of you done in a case like this?
