sick chicken

[samteel]

My 4+ year old Rhode Island red hen has a large internal swelling (baseball size) near her vent. She can walk but with grate discomfort.

I'd like to take her to a vet if there is one near Monterey, California that has experience treating poultry.

Can you recommend one?

 

[linuxman]

It sounds like she is egg bound. If you have a local vet college, you might also have luck there.

 

[samteel]

Does this require surgery? Will she survive that?

 

[MrsBachbach]

Does this require surgery? Will she survive that?

The home remedy for egg bound hens is letting them soak in warm water. Get a bucket and put enough warm water in there to cover that area and let her soak in it til it cools. I've never had an egg bound hen but I've read many people try this. The warm water really relaxes the hen and may help her pass the egg. I would do this several times before trying the vet. Now you may have to sit with her and support her. I've given my hens baths before and the warm water so relaxes them that if I didn't have my hand under them they would have slipped under and drowned!

 

[linuxman]

I have never had an egg bound hen, but the treatment I have heard is exactly what you said. Go for it!