Whiting True Green has been penguin-walking for a couple weeks now...

[Three Little Bunnies]

Hi!

I've got a Whiting True Green hen, either two or three and a half years old, who has a very swollen abdomen. She’s been walking around penguin-style for a few weeks now, and I’m pretty sure she’s the one in my flock who’s been laying shell-less eggs. I’ve given her Tums for calcium for about two weeks now and I’m not seeing improvement. She still is eating and she drinks a ton of water. Could it be that she's laying internally? Another reproductive issue? She’s got one sister hen left out of three that were the same breed (one died in an accident involving a tupperware and the other passed away a couple weeks ago from unknown causes), and the other remaining hen seems fine.

Thanks!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

What's her diet?
Could you take a pic of her poop?
To me, that sounds like a reproductive issue, but I'll tag some educators who know more

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

Good luck with her!

 

[Eggcessive]

If her lower abdomen is enlarged below the vent, she may have infection, salpingitis or water belly. Does it feel firm and solid, or squishy or tight? Is her crop emptying overnight by morning? Can you try some calcium citrate with vitamin D for a few more days? Aim for 300-600 mg of calcium. It can be hard to diagnose which reproductive problem she may have until we lose one and can do a necropsy. Those can be common after age 2-3 years. Many will sit around and hang with the flock, while some will separate themselves. Watch to see that she doesn’t get picked on or bullied. Offer foods to keep her eating, such as scrambled egg and moist chicken feed.

 

[Three Little Bunnies]

What's her diet?
Could you take a pic of her poop?
To me, that sounds like a reproductive issue, but I'll tag some educators who know more

@Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous

Good luck with her!

Layer feed (Dumor or Layena depending on what’s available) from Tractor Supply - she still eats enthusiastically.
I can try.

If her lower abdomen is enlarged below the vent, she may have infection, salpingitis or water belly. Does it feel firm and solid, or squishy or tight? Is her crop emptying overnight by morning? Can you try some calcium citrate with vitamin D for a few more days? Aim for 300-600 mg of calcium. It can be hard to diagnose which reproductive problem she may have until we lose one and can do a necropsy. Those can be common after age 2-3 years. Many will sit around and hang with the flock, while some will separate themselves. Watch to see that she doesn’t get picked on or bullied. Offer foods to keep her eating, such as scrambled egg and moist chicken feed.

Her abdomen feels fairly firm but still somewhat palpable - I’ve tried gentle massage, which she seems to enjoy but hasn’t reduced the swelling.
I can try to find calcium citrate.
Thank you for the info.

 

[Eggcessive]

Equate or Spring Valley calcium citrate with D 600 mg are sold at Walmart for about $8. Caltrate brand can be more expensive. Tums cut in half and the whole tablet given orally into the beak can be sustituted.