Possible Prolapsed Cloaca?

[libbyh48]

Hi everyone! My dad recently got new hens (he’s not good with technology so I’m doing this on his behalf) and I had thought this girl was egg-bound. When I caught her and took a closer look it seems she has a prolapse. I gave her an epsom salt soak and attempted to gently push it back but it didn’t stay. I also couldn’t feel any egg when I pushed on her abdomen. I don’t want to hurt her. Does anyone know if that’s what this is or is it something else? How can we help her? Thank you in advance for any help you can give us!!

 

[coach723]

It is a prolapse. Some birds may only do it once, some may do it repeatedly. Separate her from the others so that the prolapse does not get pecked, that will just make things worse. I would give her a warm soak, that will help relax her, and gently clean it up. Dry her off, and apply some honey or honey and sugar, the honey will help keep it moist, the sugar will help with swelling. You can also use some hydrocortisone cream. It's very important to keep it moist until it stays in, you don't want that tissue to dry out. Once the ointment/honey is applied, gently push the prolapse back in and hold it for a while. Until swelling goes down they will strain and push it back out, it feels to them like they need to push. It may take many times of doing that to keep it in. I would crate her on some clean towels or puppy pads to help keep it clean. Reapply your ointment as needed to keep it covered and moist. I have used bandaging overnight to help hold it in when needed, images here, scroll down: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/successful-vent-prolapse-treatment-with-photos.1101406/
I've had it take as much as a week before it will stay in, but sometimes it does not take that long. Keeping her in a dark place will discourage her body from laying, which can help until the swelling is down and it's staying in.