Need diagnosis for hen

[LeChick]

My 3 yr old Barre Rock hen who is normally the leader of the “flock” (one of only 2 girls) and ALWAYS comes running to me has apparently been acting odd all weekend. We were out of town, and received a text from our chicken sitter that “she was acting sickly” but have had no other info from her.

I arrived back home late this afternoon and she was hiding under hedges and would not come out or come for treats. She only stood under the hedges, she was not laying down like normal when under the bushes.

She did coop up like normal, but normally lays in a nesting box. Tonight she’s standing straight up in the nesting box....I checked her bum, she’s normally a little messy, and nothing looks out of the ordinary. She seems bright eyed and her comb is standing and red.

I did notice over the last 2 weeks that one of my hens is sometimes laying eggs in only a membrane, no shell. Have seen maybe 4 or 5 like that over that last couple weeks. Suspect it’s her because my other hen ( a Buff Orpington) lays larger eggs and that’s what we’ve been getting on the days of the no shell eggs.

I have never raised chickens before, and have no idea what to look for, or do. The only thing odd is she wouldn’t come to me and so far, seems to only be standing.

I’d appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on what to check her for and remedy’s.

Thank you!!!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

We can only give advice, not a proper diagnosis. You need a vet for that.

Had the hen in question laid an egg today or recently? Does she stand like a penguin?

 

[Anndie]

I had a hen get egg bound once. I know with her I could feel a mass inside of her. Can you feel a lump or hard mass in her?

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

If you have a glove and some oil you can insert a finger about an inch in and see if you can feel an egg.

 

[BarredRockMom]

If you suspect that she may have some trouble passing an egg, I may have a suggestion to consider.

I have used a (large oval shaped) bucket of warm water & Epsom salt to soak my girls in when I suspect that they may have a little trouble passing an egg. They are unsure of it at first but with one hand under them so they they can hold my hand for support, they soon realize that they are buoyant. I talk softly to my hen, gently splash water on her bum & I've had more than one fall asleep while bobbing like a cork. (Yes, it is as funny as it sounds, even though I was quite concerned.)

When the water cools, it's a slow lift outta the bath, onto the towel on top of the washer lid, a refill of the spa bucket & back in for a 2nd round of soaking. All the while that she's soaking, I am gently splashing her bum & may rub her tummy a bit too, ever so lightly. I try to stimulate whatever's in there to pass thru.

She gets dried off with several towels & gets a blow dry on warm low (especially if it's cold outside.)

I have lots of chicken towels on hand for soaking up the water from her feathers & paper towels for the inevitable chicken bombs.

I hope this helps. Please let us know how she's doing.

 

[micstrachan]

Is her tail tucked and is she standing like a penguin at all? A photo of her body language would help. First and foremost, I would give this girl al calcium supplement for a few days. Calcium Citrate plus D3 (meant for humans) would be ideal, but even Tums would be better than nothing. Chickens are pretty easy to give a pill, but you could also serve it over scrambled egg, if she will eat it.

I would also examine her. Is her breast bone protruding more than her flock mate? Is her abdomen (fluffy area below vent and between legs) feeling bloated with fluid compared to her flock mate? These two things combined could be indicative of a laying disorder, but it's possible she's just not absorbing her calcium properly. What do you feed them? Do they always have access to free choice oyster shell?

Please let us know how she is doing/

 

[LeChick]

We can only give advice, not a proper diagnosis. You need a vet for that.

Had the hen in question laid an egg today or recently? Does she stand like a penguin?

I’m not sure if she has laid. There were two eggs when I came home, both seemed smaller than eggs from my Buff. Do you think I should try to soak her in case she’s egg bound?

 

[LeChick]

If you suspect that she may have some trouble passing an egg, I may have a suggestion to consider.

I have used a (large oval shaped) bucket of warm water & Epsom salt to soak my girls in when I suspect that they may have a little trouble passing an egg. They are unsure of it at first but with one hand under them so they they can hold my hand for support, they soon realize that they are buoyant. I talk softly to my hen, gently splash water on her bum & I've had more than one fall asleep while bobbing like a cork. (Yes, it is as funny as it sounds, even though I was quite concerned.)

When the water cools, it's a slow lift outta the bath, onto the towel on top of the washer lid, a refill of the spa bucket & back in for a 2nd round of soaking. All the while that she's soaking, I am gently splashing her bum & may rub her tummy a bit too, ever so lightly. I try to stimulate whatever's in there to pass thru.

She gets dried off with several towels & gets a blow dry on warm low (especially if it's cold outside.)

I have lots of chicken towels on hand for soaking up the water from her feathers & paper towels for the inevitable chicken bombs.

I hope this helps. Please let us know how she's doing.

Thank you for the instruction on the soak. I’ll definitely be doing this today.

Is her tail tucked and is she standing like a penguin at all? A photo of her body language would help. First and foremost, I would give this girl al calcium supplement for a few days. Calcium Citrate plus D3 (meant for humans) would be ideal, but even Tums would be better than nothing. Chickens are pretty easy to give a pill, but you could also serve it over scrambled egg, if she will eat it.

I would also examine her. Is her breast bone protruding more than her flock mate? Is her abdomen (fluffy area below vent and between legs) feeling bloated with fluid compared to her flock mate? These two things combined could be indicative of a laying disorder, but it's possible she's just not absorbing her calcium properly. What do you feed them? Do they always have access to free choice oyster shell?

Please let us know how she is doing/

I can get this supplement from the Tractor Supply store and will definitely go get it today. I feed them later crumble that has calcium in it. But will add the oyster shell you recommend. Going to try a soak. Fingers crossed. My girls are family, who knew you could fall in love with chickens!?!? Hoping she’s going to be fine and will definitely post. Thank you!!

 

[LeChick]

I had a hen get egg bound once. I know with her I could feel a mass inside of her. Can you feel a lump or hard mass in her?

I’ll check her today. Thank you for your help.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

3 yr old Barre Rock

She only stood under the hedges, she was not laying down like normal when under the bushes.

Tonight she’s standing straight up in the nesting box

I did notice over the last 2 weeks that one of my hens is sometimes laying eggs in only a membrane, no shell.

How is your hen doing?

If she has not laid an egg, it would be a good idea to feel inside the vent for one.
What do you feed, including treats?

You have received some good suggestions. Soaking in an epsom salts bath will sometimes help if she is having trouble passing an egg. I would try to get her hydrated.
Do keep in mind if she is lethargic, soaking may put her over the edge so you can also place her in a steamed up bathroom or set her on a heating pad turned to low, just make sure she's able to get off of it in case she's overheating.

If you suspect she is one of the hens that's laying soft shell/shell-less eggs, then I would also give her extra calcium for a week to see if that improves. Give her 1/2tablet of Calcium supplement like Caltrate.

Let us know how she's doing.