sick RIR

[nick citarella]

Hi all!, can anyone help me!? my 2 yr old hen was fine one day, and the next, she was wide leggedly hobbling with her tail pointed sharply donwards and dragging the ground! She eats and drinks well but just stands there with her wings to the side, hanging, as if they are holding her up. Also, her head droops and she then somtimes lays on her breastbone appearing exhausted. She literally rocks/hobbles back and forth in a forced fashion to get to and fro. Anyone have any ideas!? Thanks! "concerned in fairfield, nj"

 

[sammi]

when did she last lay an egg?
check the vent for drainage or if an egg is visible.
feel the vent/belly area for any swelling or evidence of an egg.
has she ever laid a soft shelled egg?
is she a regular layer?

describe the droppings..color and consistency.
has she been wormed? if so when? and what was used?

is she thin?
what ALL do you feed the chickens?

check the crop..best to check at roost time..it should feel full..
then recheck in the morning..it should empty or flat..
feel for any lumps or grainy feeling..describe how it feels..hard, like a balloon, soft and squishy...check for any odor.

she may be egg bound..
give her a crushed Tums in some food..or a little liquid calcium.
you can try and set her on a heated towel (microwave works well..but not too hot!)
or protected heating pad..
she should be in warm dim quiet place, undisturbed, for an hour or more.
some people set the bird in a sink of warm water to help relax the hen..
after laying the egg, the hen must be kept warm and completely dry before returning to the coop..(hair dryer on low helps dry the feathers)

being egg bound is serious..
if she is, and doesn't lay the egg soon..post back quick.
you may have to intervene, or take her to a vet.

 

[nick citarella]

Dear Sammi, Thanks so much for the plethora of info! Im going to take your advice and assume she's eggbound, I will try a warm bath soaking tonight when i arrive home. She has just finished her molt about 2 weeks ago and she is eating well regardless of her said atributes. I have always given her Purina egg laying pellets with crackd corn mixed in, and her every other day fruit , meat and veggie scraps with some bread and cereals...Her crop is as it should be day and night, she is not under weight and her plumage is healthy looking. She has stopped laying about 2 months ago along with my 7 other hens, due to the cold snowy winter here. I will re-post after i try your recommended meds. Thankyou again on your helpful insight!!! Sincerly Nick Citarella

 

[marcel]

I agree. She sounds egg bound. Isolate her from roosters etc. so the egg can not be broken. Try what Sammi recommended. Good luck!!! Marcel