Hi! 
I have been noticing some problems with my Red Sex Link girl, Sunshine. We bought her along with her two sisters from an auction a couple of years ago. One of her sisters, Lucy, died last year from an impacted crop. But Sunshine and Louise have always been healthy.
Sunshine has always had a big behind, and a little bit of a waddle. But all of my larger girls have a bit of a waddle.
Just these past few days, though, I have noticed that Sunshine has gotten a lot heavier, and her behind has gotten more round. But I didn't think anything of it, because she has been completely alert, her comb and waddles are shiny and red; her eyes are big, clear and alert; she is foraging like she always does, and she's eating and drinking fine. She has pooped often, but her droppings are a lot smaller than her usual poop is.
I thought she was egg bound, but she laid an egg that day (that was two days ago). She has been fine all day long, but this evening she has gotten a little bit listless. She was sitting in the coop, her feathers ruffled, straining, etc. I looked at her vent, and she is very red. She is straining, and I think that her cloaca is protruding a bit. No poop, and her vent isn't dirty. And its very squishy/soft.
I'm sorry, but no pics at the moment.
I have heard that high production breeds have more problems like this, soo is this true?
She is eating Purina Layena crumbles, 16% protein, with oyster shell added.
She free ranges morning till evening. She has access to fresh, clean water 24/7.
They get table scraps everyday (nothing that can harm them, btw.).
Their coop is cleaned out every couple of weeks.
I use Hay and Pine Shavings for their bedding.
So, what do you all think could be wrong with her? Please help, if anything needs to be done, I'll start tomorrow morning because all of the chickens have just settled in for the night.
Thank you so much in advance!
I have been noticing some problems with my Red Sex Link girl, Sunshine. We bought her along with her two sisters from an auction a couple of years ago. One of her sisters, Lucy, died last year from an impacted crop. But Sunshine and Louise have always been healthy.Sunshine has always had a big behind, and a little bit of a waddle. But all of my larger girls have a bit of a waddle.
Just these past few days, though, I have noticed that Sunshine has gotten a lot heavier, and her behind has gotten more round. But I didn't think anything of it, because she has been completely alert, her comb and waddles are shiny and red; her eyes are big, clear and alert; she is foraging like she always does, and she's eating and drinking fine. She has pooped often, but her droppings are a lot smaller than her usual poop is.
I thought she was egg bound, but she laid an egg that day (that was two days ago). She has been fine all day long, but this evening she has gotten a little bit listless. She was sitting in the coop, her feathers ruffled, straining, etc. I looked at her vent, and she is very red. She is straining, and I think that her cloaca is protruding a bit. No poop, and her vent isn't dirty. And its very squishy/soft.
I'm sorry, but no pics at the moment.
I have heard that high production breeds have more problems like this, soo is this true?
She is eating Purina Layena crumbles, 16% protein, with oyster shell added.
She free ranges morning till evening. She has access to fresh, clean water 24/7.
They get table scraps everyday (nothing that can harm them, btw.).
Their coop is cleaned out every couple of weeks.
I use Hay and Pine Shavings for their bedding.
So, what do you all think could be wrong with her? Please help, if anything needs to be done, I'll start tomorrow morning because all of the chickens have just settled in for the night.
Thank you so much in advance!
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