Is my hen egg bound? Or is something else wrong?

[RNjoy17]

Hi all, I have a hen that has been “off” the past 3-4 weeks. Her comb/wattles are occasionally pale. I’ve picked her up and looked her over and there isn’t any obvious physical defects and I can’t palpate anything. Her stools are normal from what I’ve seen. I haven’t seen any bullying going on. Most of the time she is with the main flock, but she also spends some time alone. Responds to treats. She’s a buff Orpington, roughly 9 months old. Her siblings are all “normal” and don’t exhibit this behavior. It is winter and cold now most days, which is roughly when I saw her behavior change. If it was anything viral, I feel like things would have changed by now. But could be wrong, so I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas.

 

[azygous]

It would be helpful to know your location.

It would also help to know if she has been laying up until now and if any eggs have been of suspect quality.

What have the chickens been eating? Any over-ripe or possibly moldy foods?

Have you checked her crop? https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

 

[RNjoy17]

It would be helpful to know your location.

It would also help to know if she has been laying up until now and if any eggs have been of suspect quality.

What have the chickens been eating? Any over-ripe or possibly moldy foods?

Have you checked her crop? https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...w-to-know-which-one-youre-dealing-with.73607/

I am in Maine. I haven’t been able to pinpoint who out of my flock is laying, I have 20 chickens in total with 3 roosters. The age span of the whole flock is 6-9months, and I get anywhere from 8-10 eggs a day at the moment and I haven’t been able to pinpoint who is laying eggs except for my colored layers.

I buy my feed fresh from my local farmers union and use the organic poultry grower from Green Mountain Feeds. 17% protein and also supplement with oyster shells for my layers. None of it ever looked “off” per say. And if they get treats it’s either meal worms or oatmeal on cold nights before they get into the coop for the night.


I also can’t palpate anything wrong with her crop. It’s hard because she keeps her neck “tucked-in” like in the photo, only time she stretches it out or holds it normal is while eating. But from what I can feel, it’s normal.

Another thing is that she moves slower than the flock (unless there’s treats involved)

 

[azygous]

Not knowing her laying history, it's not possible to know if she's been laying or is overdue. You can start treatment for a stuck egg and it can't harm matters if she isn't in an egg crisis. Give one calcium tablet, preferably citrate form but carbonate will do, such as Tums.

She could have a bacterial infection. If you happen to have an oral antibiotic on hand, it can't hurt to start her on it.

 

[RNjoy17]

Not knowing her laying history, it's not possible to know if she's been laying or is overdue. You can start treatment for a stuck egg and it can't harm matters if she isn't in an egg crisis. Give one calcium tablet, preferably citrate form but carbonate will do, such as Tums.

She could have a bacterial infection. If you happen to have an oral antibiotic on hand, it can't hurt to start her on it.

What’s the best way to administer the calcium or tums? Disintegrate in water? Crush it and feed it?
All I have on hand is Corid, what’s recommended for a bacterial infection?

 

[Eggcessive]

Since you don’t know if she is laying, you could place her in a dog crate within the coop if you have room. She looks sick, possibly with a reproductive disorder, since her tail is down, or possible coccidiosis since she is so puffed up. But it is hard to know for sure. I would rule out egg binding by inserting a clean finger into her vent 2 inches to feel for an egg or obstruction. Start feeling her crop in the early morning before she has eaten to see that it is empty and flat, or not felt. Then check in the evening to see if she has eaten. Offer some moistened chicken feed, scrambled egg, and water often, even holding it up to her beak several times a day. Watch how she is walking. Is she walking like a penguin or duck? Poop pictures are welcome. It may take some time to figure out what is wrong. Sometimes we don’t until after death when the state vet can perform a necropsy.

 

[azygous]

Chickens don't choke on pills like we do since they have no teeth and are used to gulping down large things. It's best not to crush or dilute any meds unless product instructions recommend doing so.

You can safely combine calcium, an antibiotic and Corid. It's usually the only way we can treat a sick chicken that defies a definite diagnosis. It's called the kitchen sink strategy. Throw it all at the problem and hope something works.

As @Eggcessive mentioned, if the patient dies, you have the opportunity then of getting a lab necropsy and finding out for sure if this is an individual issue or something that may affect the rest of your flock.

 

[azygous]

Contact these people to ask where the closest animal testing lab is.

Contact the Animal Health Staff​

Contact Name / Topic Area	Email	Phone
Michele Walsh, State Veterinarian	[email protected]	207-287-7615
Carolyn Hurwitz, Asst. State Veterinarian	[email protected]	207-592-6698
Rachael Fiske, Asst. State Veterinarian	[email protected]	207-592-3608
Donna Flint, Poultry Health Technician	[email protected]	207-557-4623
Mark Hedrich, Nutrient Management Program	[email protected]	207-287-7608
Matt Randall, Ag. Compliance Program	[email protected]	207-557-0252
Carol Delaney, Livestock Specialist	[email protected]	207-215-4968
General Questions, Animal Health		207-287-3701
For Importation Permits		207-287-3701