Okay - What's Wrong with this Chicken?

[tednbren]

I have a hen that started acting like she is eggbound. She lays down quite a bit, will walk around a little then lay down again. Her tail is down. She doesn't jump up and roost with the other chickens. I did some reading in the forums, etc. and started warm water baths, gave her Tums for calcium, fed her some yogurt. The curious thing is that she doesn't act abnormal in any other way. She is eating, drinking and "pooping" normally. I read that an eggbound hen.will be lethargic and act sick. She is not. However, despite what I have done there has been no change in her at all. I am at a loss as to what to do next. I am not comfortable doing vent checks so haven't done that, but I don't feel any hardness in that region such as an egg. She doesn't have any diarrhea or anything and her feathers are clean.. Okay - so what would you do next? I am perplexed. :/

 

[tednbren]

An update: I have watched her all day and I have come to the conclusion that maybe she hurt herself. Like possibly jumping from a roost and landing wrong. Has anyone else experienced anything like this? Not sure if this is the reason, but it might explain some symptoms or lack of.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

What do you mean you're not comfortable with doing vent checks?

 

[heartsizedfarm]

If you care for an animal, if you're responsible for that animal, you check what needs to be checked, right?

 

[tednbren]

Heartsizedfarm - I do care for my animals, all of the them. I meant that I know my limitations and I am not going to go poking and prodding around somewhere where I don't know what I'm doing. You can do more harm than good. It only makes sense.So that being said, I would rather find another chicken person who has done this and can safely show me how to do a check properly or a vet that can do a thorough checkup. I resent your insinuation that I don't care for my animals. You don't know me or the care I give my chickens. I am here for help, not insults. A better way for you to have made your comment would be "If you are not sure how to do a vent check let me tell how or find someone who can or go to a vet. Here's what you need to do...." Thanks anyway. I will go to a forum that can give advice without the type of comments you've made.

 

[Eggcessive]

Heartsizedfarm - I do care for my animals, all of the them. I meant that I know my limitations and I am not going to go poking and prodding around somewhere where I don't know what I'm doing. You can do more harm than good. It only makes sense.So that being said, I would rather find another chicken person who has done this and can safely show me how to do a check properly or a vet that can do a thorough checkup. I resent your insinuation that I don't care for my animals. You don't know me or the care I give my chickens. I am here for help, not insults. A better way for you to have made your comment would be "If you are not sure how to do a vent check let me tell how or find someone who can or go to a vet. Here's what you need to do...." Thanks anyway. I will go to a forum that can give advice without the type of comments you've made.

It is fairly easy to do. Just put on a rubber glove, put some lubricant on a finger, and insert it into the vent about 1-2 inches, and gently feel for an egg or shell. With your other hand that you are holding the chicken, feel her lower abdomen for any masses or lumps. There is nothing wrong about being reluctant or unsure about doing this because it is invasive. But if there is no egg felt, you can then move on and look for other things. How old is your hen? Are her legs weak when you pick her up? Many problems can look the same with chickens being ill.

 

[heartsizedfarm]

I apologize. I misunderstood you. I thought you meant by uncomfortable that you didn't like to do it, not that you weren't sure how to do it. I quite agree with you that you shouldn't mess around if you're not sure. I ought to have been less judgemental and more helpful. Hope you'll forgive my mistake.

 

[chickenperson77]

My chicken was acting like that too. I never found out what was wrong though she passed away this morning but she was laying down a lot but would walk around a little. I was very confused.