Internal Egglaying? What can be done?

[djkCR14]

I'm thinking I might have a hen with this problem - she waddles when she walks, she's careful coming down the roost and stairs of coop, - I haven't seen her laying, but when I checked her yesterday, her belly seems swollen and even bruised. She may have been injured but I was away on vacation, so I'm just guessing here ... What can I do to help her? She otherwise seems to get around ok with the flock, acting normally and eating, drinking ok.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would get a rubber glove with some lubricant, and insert a finger into the vent to check for the presence of an egg or any masses that you can feel. Use your other hand to feel of her abdomen for the same. There is not much to do for internal laying other than to prevent her from laying either by giving hormone injections or having a hysterectomy. Internal layers can develop egg yolk peritonitis and ascites (fluid on the belly) which could be causing her swelling. Here are a couple of links to read, and feel free to do a search of BYC threads at the search at the top of the page:
http://www.avianweb.com/eggyolkperitonitis.html
http://polloplayer.wordpress.com/20...nd-clucking-but-dont-read-this-before-eating/

 

[djkCR14]

Eggcessive,
Thanks for the reply and your information. (Thanks, I read on the link you provided!) I also checked my hen, I don't feel any egg, and not sure on masses as I've never done this before - so not used to knowing what is normal or not, but her belly is quite distended, bruised looking and spongy to the touch. Strangely, besides her waddling, she gets around, seems to have a good appetite, but I think her breast meat looks thin - like someone else told me - she could be starving to death too for whatever reason. If I can, I will try to take her to a vet, if I can find one in our area who will see chickens. Wish me luck ... if not - it may be better just to euthanize her ...

 

[casportpony]

The brusing could mean blood loss and/or infection. Can you post a picture?

-Kathy