Sick hen- I'm thinking reproductive issue?

[21hens-incharge]

I'm going to check for an egg tomorrow, and some pictures.
No, she has not had her molt yet. If she does have a stuck egg then I will do the bath.

And I forgot: She has not started laying yet. They weren't in good conditions before I got them and they just didn't have proper feed or anything to lay eggs. There have been a couple eggs from one of them, but she hasn't left the roost at all so I'm sure it wasn't her.

How long have you had this bird?

 

[Ezzywill07]

Hey I have nothing to say. Besides I had the same thing and she pasted away except she was 4. But she didn’t eat let me know if she’s ok in a few days

 

[Manedwolfy]

A couple of months. A pretty good amount of time. None of the other chickens are acting badly either.

 

[Eggcessive]

The soak doesn’t have to be in Epsom salts water. You can use warm water, or put a spoonful of Dawn in it, or a little table salt. Epsom salts are kind of a soothing thing, good for wounds,and other things. If she has never started laying eggs at 18 months old, it more that likely is a reproductive problem, such as internal laying, which can lead to egg yolk peritonitis. Internal laying can resemble egg binding in appearance. Here is some reading: http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/internal-layer

 

[Manedwolfy]

Interesting.
I'll still check tomorrow if she has an egg stuck.
If she has internal laying, would the best thing to do be put her down?
No avian vets near me and I can't get the medicine.

 

[Eggcessive]

Many chickens suffer from reproductive problems. I tend to let my chickens roam around and do what they feel like doing, even if they are not laying. Once they appear to be suffering or the other chickens attack or peck them, that is when I put them down. It is always good if you are up to it, to do a necropsy to have a look around at the abdominal organs.

 

[Manedwolfy]

Oh, I thought you were implying they normally lay and are constantly laying eggs inside of them.
If she doesn't appear to have a stuck egg, putting her down seems like a humane option. She doesn't seem happy.
Hopefully she'll just be eggbound and everything will go well...

 

[Eggcessive]

Having a chicken that is suffering is not good, and I would put one down that is suffering. However not all chickens that lay internally will be suffering. Some lay internally for years. If yours seems to be miserable and not egg bound then it might be best to put her down and look inside for lash eggs or egg yolk peritonitis.

 

[Manedwolfy]

That's what I'll do if she isn't eggbound.
Im going to check and make sure she has an egg stuck in her or not. Im hoping that's all it is...
Wish me luck

 

[Manedwolfy]

Well, I did it.
I bathed and massaged her for about 20-25 minutes. I put olive oil in her vent and felt for an egg, I don't think I felt anything but I'm really not sure.

Her crop is squishy, breath doesn't smell bad to me. She ate a few small bites of yogurt.

She doesn't walk around, but she does have alert eyes that are always open and a comb that is still red. Some poop.

EDIT: Mildly good news! Still not moving around much but ate half of her small cup of yogurt. Not interested in water though.