Squatting

[Betty Coop]

Do you have a rooster? If so they probably are trying to mate. If not take the others advice.

No, no boys .. all girls
But thank you for replying

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

No, no boys .. all girls
But thank you for replying

Okay then you should go with what the others said...

 

[liz9910]

My girls all squat when I walk near them, no rooster

 

[nakstk]

OP said she was not near her chicken when it squatted and this is not the normal chicken squat.

 

[Betty Coop]

Good evening

Well today I put oil on my finger and i pushed gently to the vent and when i was exploring it became obvious there is in fact an area of tissue with an opening and this was pushed out at the time i was exploring. I saw a white object in the opening. I placed my finger in again and gently extricated the white object to find it was a collapsed egg.

I examined the collapsed egg and there was no sign of infected material but when smelt it smelt of 'beef' ie a meaty smell.

Now my question is though I think logic decrees...

There is a separate opening for eggs but it is passed via the 'vent'

Are there more eggs 'waiting' behind the collapsed egg and which could be also collapsed. Do you suggest I place a finger up the egg opening to check? Is it possible for there to be an infection? Is there a natural way to boost her immune system?

I am still going to do the warm bath as suggested but doing it tomorrow as I am going to bring her indoors to give her warmth and dryness after her bath but also so she can rest and have quality food etc to herself.

 

[Chick-a-DeeDee]

Hi Betty Coop!
I'm new here and a fairly new chicken owner of about 1 1/2 years. I have 4 hens, no roosters. They mostly free range in my backyard and are super happy, tame, and seemingly well adjusted to my old labrador retriever! Anyway, my little leghorn is experiencing the same problem you described, except that when I place my oiled & gloved finger up there, I can not feel any egg or any evidence of a broken egg. However, she has excreted what looks like eggdrop soup and some brown curly poo. I have her two 1/2 warm bath soaks this morning before intruding upon her in hopes that that will help loosen her up a bit. I've created a cardboard nesting box for her to stay in inside the house so I can keep her warmer and also keep a closer eye on her. She has been standing in a "ready to drop an egg" pose for the last 5 hours. Her comb is a little droopy but color is good. She is not interested in food and takes very little water. Unlike your girl, who at least had a collapsed egg inside, mine still no progression. You or anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Betty Coop]

Hi Betty Coop!
I'm new here and a fairly new chicken owner of about 1 1/2 years. I have 4 hens, no roosters. They mostly free range in my backyard and are super happy, tame, and seemingly well adjusted to my old labrador retriever! Anyway, my little leghorn is experiencing the same problem you described, except that when I place my oiled & gloved finger up there, I can not feel any egg or any evidence of a broken egg. However, she has excreted what looks like eggdrop soup and some brown curly poo. I have her two 1/2 warm bath soaks this morning before intruding upon her in hopes that that will help loosen her up a bit. I've created a cardboard nesting box for her to stay in inside the house so I can keep her warmer and also keep a closer eye on her. She has been standing in a "ready to drop an egg" pose for the last 5 hours. Her comb is a little droopy but color is good. She is not interested in food and takes very little water. Unlike your girl, who at least had a collapsed egg inside, mine still no progression. You or anyone else have any suggestions?

When you explored... did you see the egg hole I described? If not then it might be worth trying again tomorrow... so place finger into the vent and gently press down and this seems to move the egg hole and this too opens and closes like the vent does and see when it does if there is anything there.
Is her crop full or hard? Is she drinking and eating ok?

 

[pwand]

Here is an article on inner laying or egg binding. See if this seems to fit.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/744228/hen-puffed-up-and-listless#post_10470722

 

[Betty Coop]

Here is an article on inner laying or egg binding. See if this seems to fit.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/744228/hen-puffed-up-and-listless#post_10470722

Thank you very much for that, very informative and I will be reading the association links as well.
Today I will check her over again and as suggested bring her in and have her in a bath and then on hot water bottle.
I think I have found the cause, we haven't been providing them with grit but I have now resolved that and will be putting it in their feed immediately.
I had noticed that the condition of the eggs had been deteriorating ie as getting thinner so definitely a correlation with lack of grit.
I am just hoping that she will get better as she is a much loved RIR.
Thank you for your helpful advice, it is very much appreciated. I will let you know how it goes x

 

[Chick-a-DeeDee]

Thank you for getting back to me. Yes, I do believe that is what I was looking at. Also want to note that her vent has not been red or very swollen. After I sent my post yesterday, began spooning feeding her water since she hadn't been taking in any for hours. She had no interest in food at all and just closed her eyes most of the time. I was thinking she is doomed. About a half hour later she perked up a tad and went to my sliding glass door as if asking to go out to be with her flock who hang out at the back steps. I let her out. The other girls checked her over as she made it to my dogs water bowl where she continued to voluntarily drink. Yay! That is a good sign. She slowly made it back to the coop and stayed in the nesting box all night. I was prepared to wake up this morning to find that she passed away. But alas, she was out walking around with the other girls albeit still very slowly. She still isn't eating although she is looking intently at grass. Has no interest in oyster shell, pellets, or cracked corn. Her crop is watery, which I expected since she hasn't been eating but only drinking. Thought I should just take her to the vet, but there's no one open who sees poultry on this particular Saturday. I'm heading to town in a few minutes to buy some KY jelly and some kefir, which is a good probiotic source. I think I will take your advice and give her another warm bath soak and examine her again and squirt some kefir into her crop. Will keep you posted on the outcome of this mysterious ailment. I appreciate your advice.