Is this egg bound or something else?

[BarkerChickens]

I have a 9 month old Buckeye hen that is doing the squat walk. I brought her in the house and her vent seems enlarged (like the hole is larger and I can see tissue inside), but it is not red, swollen, nor protuding like a prolapse (maybe on its way though?). I am guessing that this means she is egg bound. While I have read about it often and the squat walk seems like a key symptom, I would rather get input from members who have experience. I'd rather ask and know that I was on the right track, then treat for something other than the actual problem.

Thanks!!!

edited to better explain her "squat walk". She will walk normal and then squat low and walk while squated. I have been using "search" but it seems some are egg bound and some are injuries, vitamin B deficiency, etc. FYI, our entire flock is on 20% protein Breeder pellets with occasional (not too often) scratch.

 

[BarkerChickens]

I have been having her sit on my lap with a heating pad...nothing has changed. She pooped normal. I have also checked her over thoroughly...no injuries, nothing that appears to hurt her, no nasal, mouth or eye discharge, no bumblefoot, no swelling anywhere and her crop is normal. I have not seen her eat or drink yet as I have been holding her on my lap. She is alert and active...just doing a squat walk. I don't necessarily feel an egg, but I don't really know what I am suppose to be feeling either.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

she's not acting lethargic, drooping wings or breathing hard is she?

she could be getting ready to lay an egg. if she is egg bound you may want to give her a sitz bath. it can help relax them a lot more than the heated pad you are using. also, you could give her a little mineral oil down her throat as a mild laxative.

 

[BarkerChickens]

She was breathing a little hard, but I think that was because she was fighting having to sit on my lap. She is not a cuddle chicken. She is friendly, but anti-hug!

I just went and checked on her and she isn't breathing hard at all. She is just laying in the kennel. I don't have any mineral oil, but I will go put her in a warm tub...boy, is she gonna be mad!

Oh...and no to the lethargy and droopy wings. Nothing that would make me believe worms, cocci, etc.

 

[Chickie'sMoma]

my ee pullet seemed very hot under her when she was egg bound and this was the first time i had dealt with it. she was heavily panting and drooping her wing, but i didn't feel anything was in her. the egg had broken inside and caused a slight infection till she passed the egg. i also gave her some antibiotics and vitamins but a little less than what is suggested on the label. also, switch out her feed to something smaller, maybe giving her some yogurt or applesauce.

she has been fine since and lays some beautiful large blueish/green eggs.

 

[J & R Dunn-keys & Company]

We just read in either "Backyard Poultry" or "Practical Poultry" that when a hen gets egg bound that you should use vaseline. They said it's not the nicest job that you have to do to your hen because it is usually better if you go a little up in there with the vaseline. Good luck!!!!

 

[Country4ever]

If setting her down in warm water doesn't do anything, then put on some latex gloves and goop your finger up with vasoline or preparation-H cream and gently go up into her vent and see if you can feel an egg. If you can, be careful not to break it. Use lots of cream and work around the egg very carefully, seeing if you can coax it out. Preparation-H is good because it will shrink her swollen tissues.