Egg-bound?

[trixeytrader]

Morning everyone. I have been advised to come on here by someone on the bbc messageboards. I have a few chickens that are really just pets, although obviuosly we love eating their eggs. One of them has recently got very 'bottom-heavy'. She is waddling around and looks as though she has a very full nappy and is moving very slowly. Her eyes are bright and she is eating, but is clearly not right. Has anybody seen this before and can you suggest causes/cures please? Grateful for any help you can give.

[trixeytrader]

Should have mentioned that they run completely free all day in large garden and field.

[RichmondHens]

Hi and welcome to the Vine.

What sort of hens are they and how old? Ex batts can be prone to tumour and ascites (retention of fluid) and the waddling you describe is typical, but you would need a vet diagnosis on this to be sure.

Being egg bound shows itself differently, with the hen going in and out of the nest box but not laying anything, lots of squatting and straining with no results (it must feel like being very constipated I should imagine). If an egg is not passed the bird slowly stops eating, withdraws and dies. It is often caused by a type of cramp and can be rectified by letting the hen sit in a bowl of warm water which relaxes the muscles, allowing the egg to pass out.

However from your description it rather sounds like ascites and I suggest you let your vet examine her in the first instance.

[chris]

Hello, welcome to the forum

Is she trying to lay? Have you tried giving her a warm bath and looking around her vent? Not sure of the symptons of eggbound chickens as I've not had one before (in chickens at least, anyway), but waddling around perhaps could be a sign of egg peritonitis? In which case, I'd say a trip to the vet would be in order but hang around until some of the more experienced chicken keepers pop on

[frias]

Hi trixeytrader,welcome to chooksaholic. I've not had an eggbound hen but would expect a hen would be ill quite quickly with it. I have had a few with Ascitis however and your hen could have this. She possibly has a tumour and her undercarriage becomes swollen with fluid. Each hen I have had with it has been put down by my vet. Fluid could be drained off but this doesn't deal with the cause and the outcome is inevitable if this is what your hen has. She will probably start to sit around with her head tucked in a lot as breathing might be laboured if she does has Ascitis. I do think you need to see a vet or a make a decision yourself as your hen might in fact be in pain and hiding this.

[frias]

Oh look, I take so long to type, 2 people beat me to it!

[Nicos]

I had a hen with ascites - and it certainly sounds similar ( and no- she didn't survive it)

As the other have said, a vet would confirm this.

However- if you've never taken a chook to your vet before then I suggest you make a few phone calls to see which vets in your area specialise in hens and how much they would charge.
We've had some scarey bills mentioned by some Grapes- and vets not perhaps as experienced with our feathered friends as we would like

Oh- and welcome to the Vine!

Good luck - and let us know how you get on

[elizajay]

I had a chook with the same symptoms and the vet said she had a tumour and ascites and put her down. She was one of my original 3, so I was very sad to see her go.

[Scarlet]

Oh look, I take so long to type, 2 people beat me to it!

That's what usually happens to me!

[trixeytrader]

Thanks to all of you. It does sound as though a lot of you have seen something similar so the vet it will have to be, on Thursday. Poor Bertha - doesn't look very promising.

[trixeytrader]

Just to let you know, it was a tumour and sadly she was put down as there was no hope at all of recovery. V sad - my hens are just as much pets as my dogs. Anyway thanks for all your advice - greatly appreciated.

[Nicos]

Awww....that's sad news- I was wondering how your little lass was getting on.

At least you were able to give her a dignified end

* big hug for you- it's always upsetting to lose one isn't it?

[elizajay]

Sad for you TT, it was kindest for your chook. Hope you stay around on this site now that you have found it and you can give us happier news of your other chooks. How many do you have now?