My Hen and I Can't Look Each Other in the Eye Anymore

[Bostonbea]

Bless my dear Gertie. She has had a rough first year, pro lapsing her oviduct on her first try and then obviously becoming an internal layer. She has had a stay of execution for many months by me "going in" and assisting her with ridding the egg material from her body. That is, the stuff I could reach. This was all done with care, warm baths, and love. She has always bounced back and been a spry part of our little flock.

She is now lethargic, not staying with the other flock members. She is eating and drinking though. She has a very swollen abdomen and my attempts to find anymore egg material has been fruitless.

Any thoughts on why her abdomen is swollen other than being an internal layer? I don't want her to suffer, but I also don't want to go in the back door for years to come.

Thanks!

 

[willowbranchfarm]

Is it all squishy like fluid??? If so then its probably a fluid build up and should be drained with a needle.

 

[Bostonbea]

No, it's definately hard. When I've helped her pass the egg material it's basically been like hard boiled egg and fluid.