How can I tell if my hen is eggbound?

[aart]

Don't think an occasional foamy poop is reason for alarm;
if it's constant, would have a fecal done.

 

[casportpony]

Don't think an occasional foamy poop is reason for alarm;
if it's constant, would have a fecal done.

I thought the foamy poop was from the one that is acting abnormal. It's been my experience that if all cecal poops from one bird are foamy that something is wrong.

 

[Red Raider Ranch]

I'm not sure who it's from. I just discovered the foamy stuff today. But Glory is the one that has been staying in the coop mostly and stopped laying last week. I'll get her in a cage tomorrow and bring her in so I can monitor her.

 

[Leighe]

I'm not sure who it's from. I just discovered the foamy stuff today. But Glory is the one that has been staying in the coop mostly and stopped laying last week. I'll get her in a cage tomorrow and bring her in so I can monitor her.

@Red Raider Ranch, just want to thank you for posting. I have learned so much from the people who have replied to you, about my own birds and things to look for. To those who have responded....thanks, ya'll are truly the best and ya'll are helping wayyy more then one person.

 

[Leighe]

Did I read somewhere that some extra calcium [Tums???} can help a hen expel an egg?

I'll have to go find that....never heard of that!

 

[Red Raider Ranch]

@Red Raider Ranch, just want to thank you for posting. I have learned so much from the people who have replied to you, about my own birds and things to look for. To those who have responded....thanks, ya'll are truly the best and ya'll are helping wayyy more then one person.

I'm glad my misfortune is helping others. Lol. I'm hoping we can resolve this soon. This is the first time I've had chickens, so it's a learning process the whole way. Trial and error, I just don't want any of my mistakes to kill any of the girls. I'm going to clean the coop tomorrow and put in new bedding. They were stuck in there for 9 days before I had my run up. Nothing like getting 13 birds dropped on your lap before you're ready !

 

[Leighe]

I'm glad my misfortune is helping others. Lol. I'm hoping we can resolve this soon. This is the first time I've had chickens, so it's a learning process the whole way. Trial and error, I just don't want any of my mistakes to kill any of the girls. I'm going to clean the coop tomorrow and put in new bedding. They were stuck in there for 9 days before I had my run up. Nothing like getting 13 birds dropped on your lap before you're ready !

Sadly, others misfortunes and our own is how we learn....but none of us want our chickens to suffer "while we're learning". I love that you're a man but a sucker for the "ladies".

 

[Red Raider Ranch]

Sadly, others misfortunes and our own is how we learn....but none of us want our chickens to suffer "while we're learning". I love that you're a man but a sucker for the "ladies".

I love my ladies. I look forward to seeing them everyday. And they make me breakfast.

 

[biophiliac]

I am, she hasn't laid in a week and usually stays perched. She will come out to the run to dust bath exercise. I got her to eat from my hand earlier today.

But Glory is the one that has been staying in the coop mostly and stopped laying last week. I'll get her in a cage tomorrow and bring her in so I can monitor her.

That's my next step. They all seem very active. Are there any telltale signs in behavior I should look for?

When you say you hand fed her ... does this mean you believe she is not eating enough on her own? I believe you should definitely monitor her intake as well as the 'output' lol. As LG said, grab a similar* bird to compare body condition and feel the keel to see if it sticks out more? Poor appetite and or weight loss are telltale signs to me that something is wrong. Were you able to check if her crop is emptying OK and that she has a full crop in the evening? [apologies if this has been covered already] Those are lucky birds to have landed with such a caring new owner!!!!

* I now realize Grumpy is the only similar one

 

[aart]

Don't think an occasional foamy poop is reason for alarm; if it's constant, would have a fecal done.

I thought the foamy poop was from the one that is acting abnormal. It's been my experience that if all cecal poops from one bird are foamy that something is wrong.

I would agree.
It can b pretty hard to find this out tho, that's why I like to use these cages so I can really get a look at what's going in and what's coming out, monitor feed/water consumption and check crop function.