Lethargic hen, holding back and tail high

[mountainchickens]

Hello! This afternoon we found our 10 month old hen lethargic and holding her tail and back section up high. She just started laying two weeks or so ago. Her friend passed away a few days ago, she was lethargic for three weeks but wasn't holding the tail up and it didn't seem to be contagious. Any ideas what she has? Thanks!

 

[twendt]

did you check her vent? did she lay today? is she egg bound?

 

[Eggcessive]

You might try inserting a finger into her vent an inch or two to check for a stuck egg. Was she sitting in a nest box? Could she be turning broody?

 

[mountainchickens]

did you check her vent? did she lay today? is she egg bound?

She has droppings all over the feathers surrounding her vent and she laid today. I'm not sure she's egg bound, but it's possible. Thanks for replying!

You might try inserting a finger into her vent an inch or two to check for a stuck egg. Was she sitting in a nest box? Could she be turning broody?

Okay, thank you! I'll check. She wasn't in the nest box, just in the run, but she was in the place she sometimes lays (by the outdoor nesting box in the run but not inside). I don't think she's broody as she's not in the nesting box at all and not sitting down. She's just hanging out by the waterer right now.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

Does she Fan out her Wings?

 

[1adybug]

Can we get pics?

 

[twendt]

something is not right, can you take her to a vet tomorrow?

 

[mountainchickens]

Does she Fan out her Wings?

Not really, she's just sitting there with them tucked in by her side...

Can we get pics?

Sure! Will get them tonight, or tomorrow if she's already gone in to roost.

something is not right, can you take her to a vet tomorrow?

I'm not sure. We have a vet but he only comes a few times a month out with supplies, etc and last time we had him here, the chicken still passed away. So it didn't help that much.

 

[mountainchickens]

She's already roosting so no great pics until tomorrow, but here she is... still with her back half in the air a little more than usual, though not like when she's standing or walking around.

 

[Eggcessive]

You have a pile of eggs in that one nest box! Her tail looks down while she has that big poof up in the air. I would look at her skin there where the poof is. Looking forward to a picture tomorrow.