Loss of egg bound hen

[longlivethedude]

Hi
We just recently lost one of our girls. She was egg puns even though she hadn't laid an egg for over a year. She died from chronic peritonitis we assume from all the fibrin released during egg making causing the intestines to adhere. What do u look for in egg bound hens? She was acting normal, which I know they do b/c they're flock animals, until it was too late. She was THE BEST and i don't want this to happen again so does anyone have any suggestions? We hang out with them pretty much everyday so troubleshooting won't be a problem. Also do "retired" hens never stop laying eggs?
Thank u for ANY feedback

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that.

To answer the retiring question, a hen will continue to lay for years after she is retired, but she will lay fewer and fewer each year.

Egg-bound hen: She will stand in an odd fashion, straining, with liquid coming from her vent. She will walk stiffly, she will ruffle her feathers and look miserable, she will stand with her feet apart. She may sit in a nest box at an odd time of day. Chickens egg-bound often die with-in a day of showing symptoms (in my experience)

Egg Yolk Peritonitis: Caused by egg yolks falling into the abdomen. Symptoms include swelling and penguin walking.

Water Belly: Swelling and penguin walking. Caused by liver failure in retired laying hens.

I hope this helps!

 

[longlivethedude]

Thank u so much

that helps immensely