hens getting fat and barely moving and next day die.help?

[Gargoyle]

Quote:
It means an egg broke inside and blocked the vent. Since they only have one opening, used for pooping and eggs, if it's blocked it can get critical very fast. You need to inspect the vent, make sure nothing is in there.

You can turn the hen over, rub gently under her throat till her eyes roll up and she gets really tranquil (hypnotized), look under the tailfeathers to find the vent. If it's not clean or looks like it could be blocked, wear a rubber glove (medical, not kitchen), and with KY jelly or olive oil you can slide a finger gently inside. If there is anything in there, hook it with your finger and clean it all out.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Quote:
It means an egg broke inside and blocked the vent. Since they only have one opening, used for pooping and eggs, if it's blocked it can get critical very fast. You need to inspect the vent, make sure nothing is in there.

You can turn the hen over, rub gently under her throat till her eyes roll up and she gets really tranquil (hypnotized), look under the tailfeathers to find the vent. If it's not clean or looks like it could be blocked, wear a rubber glove (medical, not kitchen), and with KY jelly or olive oil you can slide a finger gently inside. If there is anything in there, hook it with your finger and clean it all out.

Egg bound does not necessarily mean that the egg broke. It may mean that the bird is unable to pass the egg. A hen that is egg bound will look like she is trying to lay but is unable to. She may get puffed up, become lethargic and cease eating and drinking. If you suspect a hen is egg bound, you can gently run your hand over the abdomen to see if you feel an egg shape. You don't necessarily need to probe internally. In fact, you want to be very careful not to break the egg within her.

If you have a hen that you suspect is egg bound, do a search for treating egg bound chickens. There are good descriptions and suggestions. Or start a separate thread of your own under Emergencies/Diseases (etc). That way the answers to your questions won't get all mixed up with the OP's issue.

 

[speckledhen]

These threads may be helpful to you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=362422

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=195347

 

[Gargoyle]

Yay Chicks! :

Egg bound does not necessarily mean that the egg broke. It may mean that the bird is unable to pass the egg. A hen that is egg bound will look like she is trying to lay but is unable to. She may get puffed up, become lethargic and cease eating and drinking. If you suspect a hen is egg bound, you can gently run your hand over the abdomen to see if you feel an egg shape. You don't necessarily need to probe internally. In fact, you want to be very careful not to break the egg within her.

If you have a hen that you suspect is egg bound, do a search for treating egg bound chickens. There are good descriptions and suggestions. Or start a separate thread of your own under Emergencies/Diseases (etc). That way the answers to your questions won't get all mixed up with the OP's issue.

Excellent advice.​

 

[bonbean01]

Thanks all...wow...had no idea this could happen...good to know and something to watch for!