Very Sick 5yr old Easter Egger Hen

[CrazyChickenMom11]

Hello,
I have a five-year-old hen who I just noticed at the beginning of this week was extremely thin and seemed to have an impacted crop. I treated the crop with olive oil and massages and the impaction seemed to clear. However, today when I was giving her a bath, I felt a hard, fist sized lump just below her vent and was tender when I gently massaged it. She now is almost completely uninterested in food (even treats) but is still drinking water. She falls asleep just standing up and doesn't want to move around. I'm really concerned it's internal laying since it's definitely not ascites because her abdomen isn't swollen or squishy. Any suggestions on what else this might be because from what I read, internal laying is basically a death sentence. Any suggestions on how to treat this if it is internal laying? I have not stuck my fingers inside her vent yet (since I'm really unsure on how to do that without hurting her more.)

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'd say it could be an egg, internal laying, or a tumor. Poor girl...

When was the last time she laid an egg?

 

[CrazyChickenMom11]

I'd say it could be an egg, internal laying, or a tumor. Poor girl...

When was the last time she laid an egg?

I don't remember exactly when she last laid an egg. It was probably before she molted in early November.

 

[CrazyChickenMom11]

She is also one of my only two hens left and I'm really concerned if I separate her, that her buddy will freak out and that will stress both of them out.

 

[Tookie]

@azygous @Wyorp Rock

 

[Aunt Angus]

In my experience, crop issues are a symptom of a more serious issue, usually infection or some other reproductive disorder.

I completely understand not wanting to make her uncomfortable by checking in her vent, but you may need to. Eggbinding is serious, but can be remedied if addressed promptly. Internal laying, salpingitis, EYP all pretty much call for end-of-life care unless caught very early, which is nearly impossible because they don't seem sick until it's too late.

This is a weird question, but do you have pics of her poop?

And nothing she likely has is contagious, so I don't see any reason to separate her from her friend.

 

[CrazyChickenMom11]

In my experience, crop issues are a symptom of a more serious issue, usually infection or some other reproductive disorder.

I completely understand not wanting to make her uncomfortable by checking in her vent, but you may need to. Eggbinding is serious, but can be remedied if addressed promptly. Internal laying, salpingitis, EYP all pretty much call for end-of-life care unless caught very early, which is nearly impossible because they don't seem sick until it's too late.

This is a weird question, but do you have pics of her poop?

And nothing she likely has is contagious, so I don't see any reason to separate her from her friend.

I do have some pictures of her poop from earlier this week when she was expelling the grass. I don't have any from today but it was super watery and white. The first one on the towel was taken early Sunday and then the second one was taken later that day.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I do have some pictures of her poop from earlier this week when she was expelling the grass. I don't have any from today but it was super watery and white. The first one on the towel was taken early Sunday and then the second one was taken later that day.

Those look pretty normal. If she's pooping, she's not eggbound because her vent would be blocked.

Heavy worm loads can cause weight loss and crop issues. But not masses.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Is a vet an option? They might be able to find out what the mass is.

 

[CrazyChickenMom11]

Those look pretty normal. If she's pooping, she's not eggbound because her vent would be blocked.

Heavy worm loads can cause weight loss and crop issues. But not masses.

She hasn't pooped for about 5 hours now which is why I am getting concerned. She was pooping earlier today although it was not her normal amount.

I tried giving both my hens pumpkin this morning in case there were possibly worms (I've never had a worm problem before but there is a first time for everything) but they refused to eat it.

Is there any harm in giving her Tums to up her calcium level?