Hunched hen

[Toetwo]

Hi,
One of my hens is not well. She is hunched over. Tail down. Eyes closed. She was drinking water when I first went out there. She squirted out white poo. Viscous with some green element to it. (Describing chicken manure not my strong point.) No idea what to do. Saturday morning in times of covid.

 

[coach723]

Do you know how long she's been like this? How old is your hen? Do you know when she last laid? Is her crop empty, full, hard, soft, squishy? Feel her belly below the vent and between the legs, is it bloated at all, water balloon like or very firm? How is her weight, feel her keel bone, is it well muscled or is the bone prominent? Pictures of the poo are welcome and might help.

 

[Toetwo]

She was fine last night. Between legs is hard. In my imagination shaped like an egg. She is in good shape. Poo is no longer available for photos. She’s lying down.

 

[coach723]

Green in droppings can sometimes be from not eating, or it can be from infection or other reproductive problems. Reproductive problems are not uncommon in birds over the age of 2, can be infection, cancers, internal laying, eyp, etc. If her abdomen is hard and bloated compared to others, that does sound like a reproductive problem. You can insert a lubed finger about 1-2 inches into the cloaca to see if you can feel an egg, make sure she's not having trouble laying one. Which is why I asked if you know when she last laid. Did you check her crop to see if it's full or empty?

 

[Toetwo]

I think it’s a very large egg. Gave her a warm bath. She is now in a large dog cage with hay and water. Covered cage with blanket. Her eyes were closed when in the bath. Attempted to put mineral water up but I don’t think I was very successful.

 

[Toetwo]

Oh, not sure when she had her last egg but agree likely reproductive issue. I worry about going too far in there that I will do damage.

 

[coach723]

If you gently insert your finger and follow the natural line, you won't hurt her. If after 2 inches you don't feel an egg, then likely not egg bound. You can also give her some calcium which will help with contractions if she's trying to lay, a tums or 1/2 a calcium tablet ground up in something she will eat, a bit of cooked egg or canned tuna, or some feed mixed with water.
Unfortunately it is often the case that we don't know for sure what happened until the bird passes and a necropsy is done. Many issues will present with very similar symptoms, and they often hide things until they are very sick, so it's not apparent early on.

 

[McBriec]

It sounds like she may be egg bound which is very painful.

 

[Toetwo]

It sounds like she may be egg bound which is very painful.

Yeah. I’m having a friend come by to probably euthanize her. This is what is horrid about caring for chickens.

 

[Toetwo]

If you gently insert your finger and follow the natural line, you won't hurt her. If after 2 inches you don't feel an egg, then likely not egg bound. You can also give her some calcium which will help with contractions if she's trying to lay, a tums or 1/2 a calcium tablet ground up in something she will eat, a bit of cooked egg or canned tuna, or some feed mixed with water.
Unfortunately it is often the case that we don't know for sure what happened until the bird passes and a necropsy is done. Many issues will present with very similar symptoms, and they often hide things until they are very sick, so it's not apparent early on.

Thank you for your time and advise. I really appreciate it.