prolapse vent?

[mama chicken 1]

I have an 8 month old buff orp that looks like she is pushing out her insides. I noticed her standing straight up and scooting her bum on the ground. after doing some quick research I assume its a prolapse vent? looks like an egg shaped ball. I gave her a warm bath and everything sucked back in. While it was protruding it felt like an egg was in the mass, after sucking back in I cant feel the egg...I felt around for it while applying petroleum jelly. She is in the garage in a dog crate now. Any advise?

 

[rjohns39]

@Ravynscroft Can you pop over?

 

[Cindy in PA]

I dealt with only one prolapsed vent over the years. Great idea to separate her because if it happens again the other chickens will peck at it. Best thing is to keep her separated & try to take her out of lay by giving lower protein feed (oatmeal greens etc.) & less light so she stops laying. My chicken was separated for a month or so. At one point I thought I would lose her as she was passing egg yoke from broken eggs that I thought would kill her. She finally got better & was able to go back to the flock & egg laying. YMMV

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Prolapsed vents are very touch and go especially if the hen is laying frequently. Keep her separated from the others for a while.

 

[Ravynscroft]

Cindy in PA gave great advice... I would use coconut oil though, since it melts low temp and will lubricate further into her vent, you need to get that egg to come out... monitor her closely so she doesn't prolapse again... once egg is out, Preparation H actually helps with swelling to keep it in and let it heal... or I used raw honey and coconut oil which worked very well...

 

[aldarita]

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic.html

 

[Jessica Thompson]

Here are some instructions
1. Use gloves Put a pillow case or something over her head so she doesn't freak out
2. Give her a warm bath (epsom salt) optional
3. Let her dry Change your plastic gloves and get a big chunk of ice it will make all the insides go in and push it in slowly

 

[Cindy in PA]

All these suggestions are good, but I still think it is important to stop laying temporarily to let the chicken heal, especially if she is young.