really poopy butt/ protruding and straining

[gretchen]

So I noticed a hen was in the nesting box today that hadn't been laying since last fall and she seemed to be unable to settle in. i watched her turn around and around and realized she had a large poop dangling from her tail feathers (she has had a dirty butt all winter but no blockage) My husband and I got her out for inspection and realized she was all swollen and red around her vent with hard poop clustered and hanging from her feathers. I cut off all I could without wanting to get too close to her skin and we put her in the sink to get off what was external but there still seems to be a blockage trying to work itself out. When we returned her to the coop she immediately went to the nesting box again and is still straining... no poop or egg.

How aggressive should I be about trying to get the remaining poop out? I don't want to be so invasive I hurt her but I don't want her dying a terrible death either... ideas?

 

[gretchen]

She is now really straining and breathing heavily, it looks like she's having a baby with her vent pushed so far out, I wonder if I made it worse or better. I would really rather not have to cull a chicken today...

 

[dixiebeast]

try soaking her in a warm bath...just deep enough to cover her vent...it can help her relax and maybe pass it...she sounds eggbound!! Some folks try olive oil in the vent too!

 

[gretchen]

Her vent seems filled with poop too, do you think I should try to get it out?