Was broody, now what??

[gingertemple]

This hen was broody last week. On Thursday I put her and another broody in “jail” (my wire cage). Then I left town until last night and my husband was minding the farm. I checked and pulled out the other broody but this one seems wrong. She’s still eating and drinking but she’s walking very little and when she does it’s with her butt down like a parrot or duck walk. And her poo is wrong. I’m attaching photos but I have a feeling I’m going to have to euthanize her. I don’t want to wait if she’s suffering but I don’t want to jump the gun if she can recover and be healthy. Please, any input is appreciated

 

[itspebbl]

I would separate her, give her some vitamins, and try a few other remedies before euthanizing her, which should always be last resort, if the animal is suffering or poses a danger to others or you. Since she's eating and drinking, give her some scrambled eggs, and some watered down Gatorade(for electrolytes). Just make sure she is quarantined.

 

[gingertemple]

I would separate her, give her some vitamins, and try a few other remedies before euthanizing her, which should always be last resort, if the animal is suffering or poses a danger to others or you. Since she's eating and drinking, give her some scrambled eggs, and some watered down Gatorade(for electrolytes). Just make sure she is quarantined.

She is separated but still inside the coop. Should I move her out? What kind of vitamins when I get up? Just over-the-counter human vitamins? Or something I need to get at the feed store?

 

[itspebbl]

I believe Nutri-drench is a good poultry vitamin that you can buy at a feed store

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Broody chicken's poo is usually like that. She may be stressed, or the wire hurts her feet, something....

 

[gingertemple]

So do you think I should take her out and see how she is?

Broody chicken's poo is usually like that. She may be stressed, or the wire hurts her feet, something....

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

So do you think I should take her out and see how she is?

Yes, I would try that.

 

[CSAchook]

It sounds like maybe egg binding?
Here is an article on how to identify and treat egg binding. If she is egg bound you need to treat ASAP
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

 

[gingertemple]

It sounds like maybe egg binding?
Here is an article on how to identify and treat egg binding. If she is egg bound you need to treat ASAP
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

I have now gotten home and taken out the chicken from jail. I used a gloved finger and checked and she doesn’t seem to have an egg. She did try and run away from me (before the exam) and she waddles pretty fast but definitely waddles. I’ve now got her in a large dog crate with Koop Kleen bedding, a dish of water with a probiotic/electrolyte/vitamin mixture in it. She seems very perky but also doesn’t seem in control of her legs.

 

[Kathy Golla]

That poop isn’t that concerning.
I don’t know what that stance is about.
Maybe after nearly a week her feet fell asleep because of the wire cage bottom, the bottom is pretty thin wire.
We might need a video to see more about how she’s moving around.
I usually give a low roost at night in the cage to give their feet a break from the wire.