Young hens dying. What is this? Eggbound?

[yellowflower]

I have or had 3 bantam ameracaunas with a roo, two of the hens were not laying good for a while but they were molting so I didn't think to much of it. Then the last couple of days one of them I noticed was walking the penguin walk and open mouthed breathing. So I gave her a warm soak and checked her vent. A little liquid came out but not much. This was late in the evening last night so she seemed no different last night. Was hoping for an egg this morning. Nope. She was okay then not, laying down and then gone. Just like that. Then I notice another one looking the same way. What? So I did some reading here, gave her a warm soak, massaged her belly. Nothing came out. It looks a little swelled. I oiled my finger and stuck it in and I don't feel anything. A tiny bit of poop came out, TINY. I also gave her some human calcium. Is this egg bound? She is not pooping but wants to eat. The other one did too but I don't know how much she was eating. The other hen is fine and lays just about every day. Could this be genetic and maybe I shouldn't breed these guys? They are self blue. So sad I'm pretty sure I'm going to lose another one. They are not even two. Any other suggestions of what I can do?

 

[yellowflower]

Anyone? I put honey on her felt again for an egg don't feel anything. But her underside feels firm and looks swollen. Very tiny bit of poop again, but nothing to get excited about that's for sure. Why would a bird not poop? Feeling very sad and helpless at this point. Is there anything else I can do for her? Cannot take her to a vet.

 

[Eggcessive]

Your hen could have died of internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, or ascites. Ascites is a collection of fluid in the lower belly that can make it feel hard and full. Reproductive cancer is also common. A necropsy would be needed to find the cause. Sorry for your loss. Hens with internal laying can have the similar penguin walk that egg bound hens have. They may not lay well for a period of time before becoming ill. How old are they? Here are some articles on these topics:
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance

If you feel that your surviving hen is egg bound, then make sure that she is drinking enough fluid, and give her a dose of calcium, such as a Tums, calcium tablet, or some liquid Calcium gluconate by mouth.

 

[yellowflower]

I don't know if she's egg bound. I don't feel any egg. She's not pooping and got her wings hanging and doing the pengiun walk. She's eating not sure on the drinking. At this point I don't know what else I can do. If she has what the other one has she will be gone in 24 hrs. Maybe sooner. Thank you for the information. Her belly is firm and looks swollen. Is this genetic or just random? These are two sisters from the same mom and dad. They are not quite 2 yrs old yet. So young to have this it seems to me. I don't think it's eggbound. Like I said, I don't feel anything. So at this point there is nothing I can do it seems. That is very frustating to have to sit back and watch her die. Her sister came out of the coop looking just like she did yesterday and then within an hr or two she was dead. Again thanks for the info.

 

[yellowflower]

She's still alive and I saw her poop this morning. She is still feisty and ate some bread with calcium on it. All I have is the human supplement. Still wallking penguin style and her breathing is labored sometimes. So I don't know if I should hope or not. But she is pooping so that has to be good. Going to give her a warm soak in a little bit. I don't know how it went with the other hen because I didn't notice anything until the day before she died. But both of them stopped laying a while ago but were molting and seemed fine. I guess you never stop learning with chickens. I've had them for over 8 yrs and have never had this happen before.

 

[Eggcessive]

It can be commen in high production hens to have internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis, but it seems strange to have it happen to 2 at the same time. I would try to get some electrolytes and vitamins into her. If she is pretty weak, I would not do any more soaks or baths--that may push her over the edge. In the 3rd link about, there are some instructions on draining a hen's abdomen if you suspect ascites. Draining them on occasion may help remove fluid, relieving pressure, lessening pain, and helping to ease the breathing. Ascites fluid is usually a yellow color. Casportpony, a member on here has done this and is a good person to PM for questions.

 

[medic lynny]

By calcium for chickens(oyster shell) blend it into powder(i use a coffee bean grinder)WET small pieces of veggies,meal worms etc and toss in the powder. It coats them well.i would stay away from binding bread if they have not pooped.it has helped my egg bound girl..

 

[yellowflower]

Thank you Eggcessive. She's still here. Eating and drinking good, just still doing the wattle walk and wings down. The breathing is off and on. I don't feel comfortable doing the draining and it it's not a cure I'd rather let her go. But she seems pretty good. Thinking back I don't think her sister was like that for very long, I would have noticed, I'm around here all day. So I'm surprised this one is still here seeing her sister went so fast. Not any better, but not any worse. Time will tell.

 

[yellowflower]

I'll try that medic lynny, my chickens do not like it and never eat it when I buy it. So that sounds like a way to get it into them. I will try it with her. Right now she is getting human calcium a couple times a day on what ever treat I have. Just a little so she doesn't eat too much , been really hot today. I don't really think she's eggbound, but I could be wrong.

 

[yellowflower]

My hen is still alive and has recuperated very well. Every day she looks and acts better and she is just about 100% My daughter came over the other day and she pointed out that the other hen has a poopy butt, could be diareah so maybe it is cocidia. I never thought of that but I will be treating with corid. The thing is the stuff I have is about 4-5 yrs old. Do I need to buy a new bottle or does this stuff have a good shelf life. Also I wasn't aware an adult bird could get it so that's why I never thought of it. I'll be watching a lot closer now as I know I have it here on my property.