Odd RSL behavior...hard to explain

[Kaesi2020]

Hi all! My one year old RSL hen has been acting odd. Her butt is kind of extended in the air more than normal and she just stands in the yard not moving. I picked her up and moved her with the rest of the flock and then she went into the bushes and continued the same behavior- not sitting but standing with her tail kind of higher up than normal. She is also super quiet. She is physically fine and has been eating and scratching normally. This behavior only started in the last couple of hours (5-7 PM). Any ideas? I know this is not very detailed but this is definitely not regular behavior for her. I am not sure if she laid an egg today unfortunately.

 

[Sueby]

That's the way mine stand when they are having laying issues & that's when I pop a calcium citrate in them. If you don't have any calcium a tums will do too.

Of course it's the next day now, how is she doing today?

I will never own RSL again, mine always have issues laying.

 

[nuthatched]

Hmm, that's odd, you're right. Have you checked her for any injuries?

 

[topochico225]

Hm, my RSLs have never done this. Can you check around her vent for injuries?

 

[Kaesi2020]

Hm, my RSLs have never done this. Can you check around her vent for injuries?

I'm starting to wonder if she is egg bound and cannot pass the egg. One egg came out with white bands an hour ago but she continues to stand and squeeze her vent like she needs to lay still

 

[topochico225]

I'm starting to wonder if she is egg bound and cannot pass the egg. One egg came out with white bands an hour ago but she continues to stand and squeeze her vent like she needs to lay still

Hmm. I'd soak her in warm water mixed with Epsom salts to see if that helps.

 

[Kaesi2020]

That's the way mine stand when they are having laying issues & that's when I pop a calcium citrate in them. If you don't have any calcium a tums will do too.

Of course it's the next day now, how is she doing today?

I will never own RSL again, mine always have issues laying.

As of 545 this AM she had improved! She jumped out of the coop and ran right over to the food and water. She has been hanging out roosting in the run with the other hens which is good. I don't see the odd standing and staring so far this morning.

It was so scary and from online research (which can be both helpful and terrifying! Lol) I was worried she might not make the night.

For the calcium citrate, could you tell me the brand you use and the dosage?

Thank you!

 

[Sueby]

That's great! I'm glad to hear it.

This is what I use:


Just any brand of Calcium Citrate D3 is fine. I think they're like 600mgs maybe? When someone has an issue I give them 1 pill a day till they lay a normal egg.

 

[nuthatched]

Can you get a picture of her stance?

 

[FeatherTay]

I would wait until tomorrow to see if she is still doing this. A couple of hours isn’t much so it may be nothing. As long as she is eating, drinking, and acting normally than she is probably ok.