Prolapse or Egg bound?

[azygous]

You said she was straining in the nest? And her vent is beginning to protrude? That would be a sign of an oviduct obstruction.

When I have a hen with these symptoms, aside from the possible ascites, I give a calcium supplement immediately, then a 30 minute soak in a tub of warm Epsom salt water, then dry off and place the hen on a heating pad (moist heat if possible) in a crate in a quiet place. Lubricate you gloved fingers with a water based lube and feel just inside her vent for the egg, noting where it is if possible.

Then leave her to rest, but check on her frequently. If the egg gets stuck in the vent, you may need to intervene, but hopefully she'll pass it.

We'll stand by for further developments.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sunshine has always had a big behind, and a little bit of a waddle

I have noticed that Sunshine has gotten a lot heavier, and her behind has gotten more round.

her droppings are a lot smaller than her usual poop is.

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.

How is she doing?
When you have time, if you'd like to share some photos...

I agree with @azygous Calcium (use TUMS or 1/2tab of Caltrate for quicker uptake), epsom salts soak and keep her warm. I also like to give a direct dose of Poultry Nutri-Drench if you have that on hand. Keep her drinking, if she is struggling with expelling an egg, dehydration will make it more difficult.

Is she pooping at all?

It's possible she is having troubles laying an egg and she is prolapsing, but your description of her getting heavier and her bottom is getting more round makes me think she that she is developing an internal laying/reproductive disorder as well.

 

[RodNTN]

You said she was straining in the nest? And her vent is beginning to protrude? That would be a sign of an oviduct obstruction.

When I have a hen with these symptoms, aside from the possible ascites, I give a calcium supplement immediately, then a 30 minute soak in a tub of warm Epsom salt water, then dry off and place the hen on a heating pad (moist heat if possible) in a crate in a quiet place. Lubricate you gloved fingers with a water based lube and feel just inside her vent for the egg, noting where it is if possible.

Then leave her to rest, but check on her frequently. If the egg gets stuck in the vent, you may need to intervene, but hopefully she'll pass it.

We'll stand by for further developments.

I sat her in a tub full of warm water (which she loved). With Epsom salt added, I also gently rubbed her bottom with vegetable oil (I read somewhere to do this). She stayed in there for about 20-25 minutes.

I put her in our old brooder with feed, water and a heat lamp above her. I think she was too distracted by our cats and the fact that she had never been in the house, so she hasn't eaten or drank any water on her own, but I dipped her beak in the water 3 or 4 times, and she did drink when I did that.

I noticed that when I took her out of the water, that her bottom wasn't squishy or soft anymore, its actually firm. And the redness has disappeared significantly. She has walked to each end of the brooder two or three times, and she is very alert.

 

[RodNTN]

How is she doing?
When you have time, if you'd like to share some photos...

I agree with @azygous Calcium (use TUMS or 1/2tab of Caltrate for quicker uptake), epsom salts soak and keep her warm. I also like to give a direct dose of Poultry Nutri-Drench if you have that on hand. Keep her drinking, if she is struggling with expelling an egg, dehydration will make it more difficult.

Is she pooping at all?

It's possible she is having troubles laying an egg and she is prolapsing, but your description of her getting heavier and her bottom is getting more round makes me think she that she is developing an internal laying/reproductive disorder as well.

We don't have any Nutri-Drench on hand, but we are picking some up today. I tried to give her some crushed TUMS mixed with oatmeal, but she wouldn't do anymore than peck at it.

I have not seen her poop since yesterday, it was firm and normal looking, but very small.

 

[RodNTN]

Btw, when I opened the coop this morning to let them out to range, she was very listless and not alert at all, one of the roosters tried to mount her, I quickly got him off, and she stumbled a bit, but just walked off.
After her bath and being in the brooder, she has perked up a lot, looking around the basement, trying to jump down from my lap while I was drying her, etc.

 

[RodNTN]

@chickens really, anything on this?

 

[azygous]

I pulverize a calcium tablet and mix it into a dab of peanut butter. Not many chickens can resist peanut butter once they discover its alluring taste.

Did you notice any wet bedding where she slept? Often the remains of the obstructed egg are without shell and membrane and come out in a very liquid form. Once this happens, the hen feels so much better.

Calcium plays a very important role in alleviating oviduct obstruction issues. I continue giving calcium for several days following an obstruction event.

 

[RodNTN]

I pulverize a calcium tablet and mix it into a dab of peanut butter. Not many chickens can resist peanut butter once they discover its alluring taste.

Did you notice any wet bedding where she slept? Often the remains of the obstructed egg are without shell and membrane and come out in a very liquid form. Once this happens, the hen feels so much better.

Calcium plays a very important role in alleviating oviduct obstruction issues. I continue giving calcium for several days following an obstruction event.

I'll try the peanut butter, she isn't very interested in eating right now.

No, I didn't. She slept on the roost (she can still hop from perch to perch).

I'll try the peanut butter, and see if she takes it. Thank you so much for offering your help!

 

[RodNTN]

She's grooming herself now, just contentedly sitting under the heat lamp.

 

[azygous]

That's an encouraging sign.