I have a Welsummer laying hen who seems to have a strange (to me) combination of symptoms. She is in good/normal condition. I'm unsure of age, she was a poultry swap buy, but only lays about 3 eggs a week at best, so maybe older. Symptoms: 1. Limping/walking gingerly 2. Sitting almost constantly and in strange places over last two days 3. When she stands she looks like she's doing something with her tail / straining? Which sounds classic for egg bound except: 1. She's pooping. 2. I think I've heard her cough twice in the hour or so I've had her under close observation. All 7 other hens seem fine. And this one actually seems lively and very aware. Is she eggbound? It sounds like it but the pooping and maybe coughing has me confused- I searched the forum but didn't find an answer in previous posts. I currently have her in the garage in a dog crate positioned over a bucket with a bucket heater in it to create some steam.
When my chicken was egg bound she was pooping too. I guess it just didnt come down far enough to block the poop passage way. It sounds like egg binding to me. Give her a warm bath Massage her abdomen Massage downward You may need to help her push the egg out. Good luck.