Showing signs of being egg bound, but still pooping?

[Missmolly623]

Yesterday when I went out to visit my flock and let them out to free range I noticed my barred rock (Smaug) was moving slowly, kind of a waddle, and standing still a lot more often than usual. She’s ALWAYS scratching around looking for food and she is my hardest girl to catch, but I caught her so easily because she seemed to be pretty lethargic. I checked her over looking for any signs that something might be wrong- comb and wattles still bright red, no eye goop or fluid coming from her nose, no gaping or panting, vent was normal coloration and not swollen. Her feathers under her vent hwere pretty dirty and she pooped once before I picked her up and it looked almost clear with some yellow in it. Like yellow pieces almost?

I brought her inside and gave her an Epsom salt bath. She was very content in there. Cleaned her feathers, she pooped a bit more in the water but I couldn’t tell what it was like. She had more poop in the crate while she rested in my house and the best I can describe it is clear with yellow and smelled like cooked egg??? There was also poop in there that was normal color, but skinnier than her normal poo.

I let her rest and checked before I went to get ready for bed. At this point she was panting and her wings were drooping, tail down. I dissolved a Tums in some water and gave it to her in a syringe and she drank it willingly, and perked up a bit after some water. Gave her another bath and went to bed. This morning she appears much the same as last night. Droopy and breathing with her beak open. More poop in the crate but all skinny, more like thin ropes of poop. Drinking on her own (drinking a lot), but not interested in the snacks she’s been offered.

What can I do for her? Keep her inside? Send her out with the flock?help me help my girl

 

[Missmolly623]

Yesterday when I went out to visit my flock and let them out to free range I noticed my barred rock (Smaug) was moving slowly, kind of a waddle, and standing still a lot more often than usual. She’s ALWAYS scratching around looking for food and she is my hardest girl to catch, but I caught her so easily because she seemed to be pretty lethargic. I checked her over looking for any signs that something might be wrong- comb and wattles still bright red, no eye goop or fluid coming from her nose, no gaping or panting, vent was normal coloration and not swollen. Her feathers under her vent hwere pretty dirty and she pooped once before I picked her up and it looked almost clear with some yellow in it. Like yellow pieces almost?

I brought her inside and gave her an Epsom salt bath. She was very content in there. Cleaned her feathers, she pooped a bit more in the water but I couldn’t tell what it was like. She had more poop in the crate while she rested in my house and the best I can describe it is clear with yellow and smelled like cooked egg??? There was also poop in there that was normal color, but skinnier than her normal poo.

I let her rest and checked before I went to get ready for bed. At this point she was panting and her wings were drooping, tail down. I dissolved a Tums in some water and gave it to her in a syringe and she drank it willingly, and perked up a bit after some water. Gave her another bath and went to bed. This morning she appears much the same as last night. Droopy and breathing with her beak open. More poop in the crate but all skinny, more like thin ropes of poop. Drinking on her own (drinking a lot), but not interested in the snacks she’s been offered.

What can I do for her? Keep her inside? Send her out with the flock?help me help my girl

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC and sorry about your sick hen. How old is she? Has she normally been laying eggs with hard shells recently? It sounds like she has a reproductive disorder. Dirty vents and diarrhea can be common. If you can get a good picture of her droppings that might be helpful. Do you have access to any antibiotics such as amoxicillin that might treat an infection? I would repeat the calcium/Tums after 24 hours. Will she eat and drink? Moistened chicken feed with water and a small amount of cooked egg would be good to offer. How does her crop feel first thing in the morning before she eats? Is there any weight loss, or enlargement of her lower belly under the vent?

 

[Missmolly623]

Welcome to BYC and sorry about your sick hen. How old is she? Has she normally been laying eggs with hard shells recently? It sounds like she has a reproductive disorder. Dirty vents and diarrhea can be common. If you can get a good picture of her droppings that might be helpful. Do you have access to any antibiotics such as amoxicillin that might treat an infection? I would repeat the calcium/Tums after 24 hours. Will she eat and drink? Moistened chicken feed with water and a small amount of cooked egg would be good to offer. How does her crop feel first thing in the morning before she eats? Is there any weight loss, or enlargement of her lower belly under the vent?

We don’t have any antibiotics, her crop feels full of water now, and her lower belly feels normal, though I don’t know what it would feel like if it were enlarged. She hatched in February 2025. I haven’t noticed any weight loss.