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I've searched it all idk what's wrong with her

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by kimntep, Dec 5, 2011.

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  1. Dec 5, 2011 #1
    kimntep

    kimntep Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Betty has never been a good layer, of course when I got her we had so many others that I can't swear that she ever laid at all. She's about 2 ys old or so and she's always been very active, but not very vocal. She got very sick about 4 mo ago and we almost lost her, but she recovered after quarantining, antibiotics, etc. It took a long time for her to be back to looking and acting normal and now she's got something going on for sure.
    She looks as if she's put on weight and she waddles like a duck. She always has a messy bottom, but I've watched her poop and everything looks fine. This afternoon she was making a squawking sound, but not overly loud, which she has never made before, and she was doing it when I was near to her and she's never "talked" to me before. She seems to be breathing heavy, but not through her mouth. I can see her throat and chest moving up and down and she's not one to get herself winded.
    Betty's always been quiet, friendly and laid back. I went out after dark just now so I could fell around her a little and her belly seems hard and possibly swollen, but I don't really know how it should feel normally. I sort of think I felt some egg shapes, but she didn't let me do too much. She's much heavier now than in this pic (at over a year old) and her comb is not as big or bright.
    This may seem vague, but I don't know what other info to give. She's eating and drinking, mobile, sociable, etc., but she looks odd and has never made these sounds before. Something's definitely going on. Ideas??
     
  3. Dec 5, 2011 #2
    Eggcessive

    Eggcessive Chicken Obsessed Premium Member

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    I'm rather new to chickens, so until someone more experienced replies you might try google search upper right for eggbound. Waddling and swollen abdomen are symptoms. They will suggest soaking her bottom in warm water, and with a lubricated gloved finger searching her vent for a stuck egg.
     
  5. Dec 5, 2011 #3
    Chicken_Pauper

    Chicken_Pauper Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Usually new layers -- young hens have laying problems, but it's not impossible for an older hen.

    Use the Search here on BYC... search "EGGBOUND"... that will give you much info and what to do to help her. That's a start... if an egg breaks inside her, she could get an infection.. so... be careful of that. "Eggcessive" is right.. there is a warm water bath.. an oiled finger.. feeling her stomach (light massage)... and inserting a finger to feel for any hard object (an egg) inside that might be stuck.. the warm baths (20 minutes or so at a time) and stimulating of the finger may make her poop and lay ... it may stimulate her to lay the egg or eggs that are stuck... if she is eggbound... so.. be ready, she may lay immediately or want to get to the nest immediately.. and, if she is wet you may want to keep her inside if it is cold out until she is dry and better, feeling better, has passed the egg or eggs.

    At three years old.. I assume you have wormed her and the rest of the flock more than once. If not... search "worming with Valbazen"... I am not saying that is the problem, worms... but, it could be part of the problem if she / they have never been wormed. It does sound like a laying issue. See dawg53 posts on worming and dosages -- also "giving oral medications" if you need it.

    There may be some other ideas out there........ someone who knows more.. I have found the Search here to be very helpful if you know what to seach for.... and that is sometimes hard to know.

    Apple cider vinegar in the water may help with some of the more mild symptoms.. like the dirty butt... "pasty butt". Either way, it won't hurt her to treat her for eggbound.. just be careful that if you feel an egg you don't break it inside her. She might need antibiotics if an egg breaks inside her.

    Good luck.
     
  7. Dec 6, 2011 #4
    CMV

    CMV Flock Mistress

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    How's she doing today? Did you find anything?
     
  9. Dec 6, 2011 #5
    Ksane

    Ksane Overrun With Chickens

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    It sounds like what they call "internal laying", please research that. The egg doesn't make it out because the membrane gets in the way. The prognosos for it is poor if that's what it is.
    Edit: Internal laying is not the same thing as eggbound. I don't think I explained it right.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2011
  11. Dec 6, 2011 #6
    Judy

    Judy Moderator Staff Member

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  13. Dec 6, 2011 #7
    jjthink

    jjthink Overrun With Chickens

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    I too am concerned that this is interanl laying. It sounds also like she might be building up fluid - search 'ascites'....
    Sound slike a vet is in order - antibiotic, antiinflammatory and maybe draining of fluid. It is possible this could buy her time.....sometimes it beats back the problem for a good amount of time......
    JJ
    p.s. It is urgent.
     

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