Hot swollen red belly

[dwood17367]

My 2 year old hen just happened today, woke up with a hot red swollen belly. I can't feel an egg in there. Have done one epsom soak so far. She is waddling around, bright red crown...she has made several trips to nest box, no egg today. she is excessively preening, pulled out all her belly feathers. Help, can't get a tums in her.

 

[StinkyAcres]

She needs that calcium ASAP to get that egg out. Hold her on your knee with your arm, open her beak with that hand, pop the pill in with the other hand, close her mouth, and wait for her to swallow it.

It sounds like she may be laying internally and the egg material inside of her is becoming infected. Antibiotics and draining her abdomen can help provide relief, but there likely is no cure.

 

[dwood17367]

thank you. should I give her amoxy or baytril and she won't aspirate from the forced feed?

 

[StinkyAcres]

thank you. should I give her amoxy or baytril and she won't aspirate from the forced feed?

It's not really force feeding, you just want to place the pill/tablet on the back of their tongue so they swallow it on their own. Chickens readily swallow most pills you stick in their mouths. I defer to the experts on which antibiotics to use.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you post any pictures of her lower belly? Here is a good video on giving tablets tot a hen: