Symptoms of egg bound chicken, but no egg...

[jhunting]

So, we have a rather obese chicken, who just in the last few days started exhibiting signs of being egg bound. She's 3 years old and as far as we know hasn't laid an egg since last summer, and maybe even earlier than that. She is "penguin posturing" and straining. Externally, we can feel what seems like an egg, but upon digital internal palpation, the object feels more spongy and is definitely not smooth, which is leading us to believe it is either a tumor or one of those chunks of reproductive lining... A lash or something. We can't afford to bring her to a vet, but we'd like to avoid offing her if there is a chance she'll survive. Any suggestions? We've done the warm bath, massage, calcium thing twice now, and while she definitely relaxes during the bath, she doesn't show any signs of improvement. I should also add she is eating and drinking and pooping completely normally! He abdomen is definitely distended as well...

 

[Eggcessive]

Heavy chickens can be prone to fatty liver hemorrhagic disease, and that can lead to ascites which would be a reason for a swollen soft belly. But also your thoughts of internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, or a tumor could be the cause. None of these has a good outcome as you probably know, so keeping her comfortable for as long as possible may be all you can do. I'm not an expert on this, but from reading, this seems all too common unfortunately.