Suddenly lethargic hen, not eating, just looks bad

[Lilion]

My hen is nearly 4 and seemed fine yesterday. Today I went to check on them and toss some cornbread as a treat, and she wouldn't touch it. She loved it yesterday. I caught her (unusual in itself) and her crop was not protruding, I could feel her breast bone, and when I went to feel her vent area she was VERY unhappy about it, and all I could really tell was it felt crusty. I could see what looked like blackish poo, but I put her down when she struggled.

Ive gone back out and took some pics. She's lying down in the run. The others had gone inside. Her tail feathers are disheveled and there's now some runny yellow on her bottom.

What could come on so fast? Meanie has always lived up to her name, a spunky little thing, even yesterday. She isn't laying right now and hasn't since she gave a few eggs in January, but it's that time of year. I only have 1 of 4 hens laying reliably right now.

 

[tviss711]

I’m sorry your hen isn’t well.

I know you mentioned she isn’t laying right now, but is it possible that she might be egg bound? Sudden symptoms, runny yellows and a tender vent area are making me suspicious. If you are able to catch her again, does her abdomen feel swollen/hard? It could be that, it could be something else. I’ve thankfully not had to deal with an egg bound hen (yet), but it isn’t an uncommon problem.

This is a helpful thread with a list of symptoms, and links to treatment options and more.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

I can’t think of what else it might be at the moment, but I am not an expert so I hope others with more knowledge will chime in too!

 

[rlschroeder]

Sounds like she’s having difficulty laying and the runny yellow stuff is likely a yoke, so she may have a soft-shelled or unshelled egg in there. I had an Easter Egger with laying problems and it’s generally pretty common. But can be deadly. I recommend getting extra calcium and electrolytes in her asap and giving her a warm water and epsom salt soak to relieve any tension in her abdomen.

 

[Lilion]

I’m sorry your hen isn’t well.

I know you mentioned she isn’t laying right now, but is it possible that she might be egg bound? Sudden symptoms, runny yellows and a tender vent area are making me suspicious. If you are able to catch her again, does her abdomen feel swollen/hard? It could be that, it could be something else. I’ve thankfully not had to deal with an egg bound hen (yet), but it isn’t an uncommon problem.

This is a helpful thread with a list of symptoms, and links to treatment options and more.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

I can’t think of what else it might be at the moment, but I am not an expert so I hope others with more knowledge will chime in too!

Sounds like she’s having difficulty laying and the runny yellow stuff is likely a yoke, so she may have a soft-shelled or unshelled egg in there. I had an Easter Egger with laying problems and it’s generally pretty common. But can be deadly. I recommend getting extra calcium and electrolytes in her asap and giving her a warm water and epsom salt soak to relieve any tension in her abdomen.

For tonight I caught her just at dark and did put her away from the others in our "broody hen pen". While she wasn't happy about being caught, she definitely didn't fuss about it the way she normally would. I gently felt her lower abdomen and it didn't seem firm or swollen at all. I gave her fresh water and some meal worms and crumble. She did go get some water while I watched. I'll see how she is tomorrow.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

when I went to feel her vent area she was VERY unhappy about it, and all I could really tell was it felt crusty. I could see what looked like blackish poo, but I put her down when she struggled.

I agree, it sounds like she may be having a hard time with an egg, but its' a very good idea to examine her more closely since she indicated discomfort when you went to feel of the vent.

Something crusty and black, you want to know if that is indeed crusted poop or if its exposed tissue from a prolapse, etc. You also want to make sure the crusty material is not blocking the vent so she can poop and/or expel an egg.

If possible, go get her tonight and bring her in, examine her and take photos of what you find.

I'd go ahead and also start her on 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 now, then once daily for a few days to see if this helps her expel an egg or lash material.