What's wrong with my Chicken

[sc84]

HI. I am new here. I have a 2 year old hen (not sure the breed but nothing exotic). She has been lethargic, tail down for the last couple of days. I expected her to lay an egg yesterday but she didn't. This morning I found a crumpled egg in the coop under the roosting bar. I tried putting oil in her bottom this morning thinking she is egg bound. She is just laying down in the run. Not eating or drinking. What else can I do? Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi @sc84 Welcome To BYC

I'm sorry you're having trouble.

How does her abdomen feel?

Try to get her hydrated, offer her some poultry vitamins and extra calcium. It sounds like she may be weak from the soft shell egg or she may be trying to pass another one - these are very hard to lay. She may also have an internal laying/reproductive disorder like Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Ascites, cancer or tumors.

She may benefit from a soaking in an epsom salts bath to see if that will help get things moving.

 

[sc84]

Thanks. I gave her a warm bath. No epsom salt though. I have separated her from the rest of my girls and gave her water and food mixed in with oyster shell and plain yogurt. Will try some vitamin. I think she is sleeping now - head tucked into her feathers. She is straining quite a bit. Watching her closely. Hoping she passes something.

 

[dunnmom]

I'm sorry your hen is down in the dumps or possibly ill. I noticed with my girls this depressed behavior, and the appearance of a weird egg or two during molting and the onset of broodiness. I thought they were sick at first. As a chicken-newbie, I have no wisdom or experience with diseases yet. I try to leave that to the more seasoned folks to help with.

 

[sc84]

I'm sorry your hen is down in the dumps or possibly ill. I noticed with my girls this depressed behavior, and the appearance of a weird egg or two during molting and the onset of broodiness. I thought they were sick at first. As a chicken-newbie, I have no wisdom or experience with diseases yet. I try to leave that to the more seasoned folks to help with.

Thanks! I am new to this too. She seems to have perked up a bit so fingers crossed.