Oviduct impaction? My hen is lethargic, and not eating or responding, and walking like she's constipated.

[ChicNmom]

I discovered she is not egg bound but has water belly. So, as this is terminal, today I will have to deal with it. I discovered she wasn't egg bound when I inserted my finger in her vent to lubricate it, and there was no egg, but a very large mass just below where the egg should have been. As this is all new to me, I did further research and discovered she has water belly, or ascitis.

So sorry to hear that. At least you tried. She could also have some kind of tumor.

I have treated hens with ascites. Sometimes they pull thorough but usually it just makes them more comfortable until they die or need to be put down.

But with an internal mass I wouldn't bother with treatment.

 

[kaumlauf]

Thank you. It is difficult to kill one's own pet chickens.

 

[kaumlauf]

It sounds like she might be eggbound. You can try giving her some calcium to see if it helps to stimulate her egg laying. Here is a good article to see if more of the symptoms match and some other treatments for her: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

She's not eggbound. There is no egg in egg passage, the passage is clear I inserted my finger the entire length, and there was nothing. this did stimulate her to pass a watery amount of stuff. There is a huge hard lump under her vent. It's as hard as a rock and about the size of a turkey's egg. I'm afraid she has a tumor. It's been close to 7 days now. She is still lethargic and just lays quietly all day. Hubby suggested we put her out of her misery, but I am too curious to see if I can figure out whats wrong, to end her life just yet.

 

[kaumlauf]

So sorry to hear that. At least you tried. She could also have some kind of tumor.

I have treated hens with ascites. Sometimes they pull thorough but usually it just makes them more comfortable until they die or need to be put down.

But with an internal mass I wouldn't bother with treatment.

The mass is very hard, not as is described as asictes. I am guessing a tumor?

 

[ChicNmom]

The mass is very hard, not as is described as asictes. I am guessing a tumor?

That's what it sounds like unless it's a huge hard abscess.
If she is suffering it's best to put her down even though it will hurt you to do it.

 

[kaumlauf]

She sits quietly all day in a corner of the coop. She doesn't look like she is in pain. What do you think?