Is my chicken constipated? What’s wrong with her?

[Nelson-Collier]

This happened rather quickly. I inspect my chickens everyday. I went out the next day and saw a chicken having trouble walking, almost squatting. I immediately brought her to my isolation area where I treat sick chickens, before she became the target of the bullies.

I think it’s constipation because she isn’t eating much, is drinking a little, and hasn’t pooped. She has yellow stuff stuck near her vent (yes I’m about to clean it), her abdomen feels firm between her legs but not hard like an egg (not egg bound), and she “pooped” once or twice and it was just yellow liquid. So what should I do and how do I diagnose it properly and begin treatment? Pictures provided below, please ask questions and I will answer. Yesterday I took her to the front flower bed to get some fresh air and some space and she was walking around and being curious, just looking like she’s got a anchor stopping her up so atleast that’s a good sign. Walking around, I mean. She’s very talkative, as well.
Today she’s just chilling in the isolation area. She has food and water if needed, and it’s warm. I plan on taking her out again and washing her up if needed.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No lice or mites that I could see, I checked her feathers and skin very well. I’ve never really had issues there.

my chickens are almost 3 years old.The breed I have slows down at around 2. I have 6 chickens and get between 0-3 eggs a day, rarely 4. She doesn’t really eat, so their isn’t much crop wise. However she is drinking a little water occasionally. How do I check in her vent? I tried yesterday to explore and sort of get prepared but I couldn’t quite figure out... I guess I just get some water based lube and a glove and stick my finger in slowly and feel around...?

Yes. That's what you would do. Only feel about 1-2" in.

You may be able to entice her with a bit of wet feed. I would still check her crop in the morning and feel her abdomen below the vent between her legs for bloat or fluid too.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When is the last time she laid an egg?

It may be worth feeling inside the vent 1-2" for an egg. I would check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight. Encourage her to drink, hydration is very important. While you are cleaning her up, look for any lice/mites.

She may behaving some reproductive issues, it can be hard to know.

 

[aart]

She doesn’t really eat, so their isn’t much crop wise. However she is drinking a little water occasionally.

Why is she not eating?
What all and how exactly are you feeding?
Knowing more about your flock and their housing might help here.
As well as knowing where you are located geographically.

When I have a bird that is acting off...
I isolate bird in a wire cage within the coop for a day or two....so I can closely monitor their intake of food and water, crop function(checking at night and in morning before providing more feed), and their poops. Feel their abdomen, from below vent to between legs, for squishy or hard swelling. Check for external parasites or any other abnormalities.


Best to put crate right in coop or run so bird is still 'with' the flock.
I like to use a fold-able wire dog crate (24"L x 18"W x 21"H) with smaller mesh(1x2) on bottom of crate under tray.
Then you can put tray underneath crate to better observe droppings without it being stepped in. If smaller mesh is carefully installed, tray can still be used inside crate.

 

[Nelson-Collier]

Am familiar with ENC.
Then add it to your profile

One of the best chickeenering tools I have!

Not sure how to add it to my profile.

she’s drinking some water today. I just had to fill up the container for the first time. I’m going to go check her vent in a bit.

 

[HappyClucker7]

It sounds like maybe an egg broke inside of her. I'm going to tag some people that should be able to help. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

 

[Eggcessive]

The way she looks to be standing, sort of legs wide apart, she may have ascites (water belly) or a reproductive disorder. Those are both common in hens over 2-3 years old.

 

[aart]

Not sure how to add it to my profile.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is hard to know exactly what is going on. I have lost quite a few hens over the age of 3 from reproductive disorders. Several had ascites (water belly) that was related to egg yolk peritonitis or internal laying which is similar. Cancer also can cause this as well as fatty liver disease, all diseases I found on differen pt necropsies. Crop disorders and digestive problems are very common secondary problems with all of those.

 

[Nelson-Collier]

It sounds like maybe an egg broke inside of her. I'm going to tag some people that should be able to help. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock

yikes... and how do I diagnose and treat her...?