Any ideas???.... urgently appreciated please!

[Nicos]

It's my turn to have a poorly chook peeps

One of my gals was hatched Easter weekend and has been laying for a while with no problems.

This afternoon we noticed the other gals were picking on her whilst she hid behind an upturned paving slab.

An hour late we spotted her lying in the coop with both legs extended backwards and both wings held out sideways. She seemed to be panting- but we couldn't hear any bubbles with her breathing.
Her vent was partly open so I scrubbed up and gently had a feel and there was an egg literally stuck to one side of her 'tube'. With gentle wobbling and going around the outside of her egg it came loose and she pushed it out.
Normal size- not broken but backed up with poo.

We put her into a laying box with a broody - to keep the other chooks away and she's now there looking much the same - and utterly exhausted.

She's not interested in food or water.
The whole flock have been eating ripe black elderberries which seem questionable as to their toxicity.
As I've had no problems in 5 years with them eating elderberries, I'm now really confused what to do with our lovely young gal.
Leaving her in a quiet place seems to be the most minimal thing I can do now her egg has been laid.

I hope she survives the night- but what else can anyone else suggest please???

[RichmondHens]

Keep her somewhere warm and quiet and away from the others, ideally a cardboard box filled with straw that she can cuddle down into. She may have got a bit distressed trying to get the egg out (was it larger than normal?) and is just in shock. There is nothing you can really do for her at the moment. Hopefully after a quiet night's rest she will be a little perkier in the morning. I very much doubt diet has played a part, elderberries are a lovely treat for all birds.

[Nicos]

OK- thanks...will do that!

Poor thing is a real sweetie too.
Why would she be stretching her legs out behind her????

I can understand panting may be a sign of stress/pain/chest infection/heart failure...what do they say about a bit of knowledge being a bad thing????


...and no, the egg was normal sized- just seemed stuck to the side and needed a fair bit of loosening.

[RichmondHens]

I'm guessing the leg stretching might have been just a stress reaction or just a position that made her feel more comfortable. I should imagine being egg bound is pretty uncomfortable tbh. It is caused by a cramp of the internal muscles and doesn't necessarily involve a larger egg than normal. Well done you for getting it out in one piece.

I have picked up cockerels that have been involved in fights that have just laid limp in my hands, looking as good as dead. After 24 hours rest in a quiet place they usually bounce back good as new except for a lot of dried blood and often swollen eyes. Occasionally they do get blinded but can still function pretty normally.

I see no reason why your hen shouldn't be ok after a bit of rest - let me know how she is in the morning.

[kathyd]

Poor thing - how's she feeling today? Did she make it through the night OK?

[RichmondHens]

Hope all is ok?

[Feral007]

Hope your chook is doing ok today.

[Nicos]

Well- she's still with us!

She's now got her legs tucked underneath her but her feet are just floppy.
My OH has managed to get her to drink some water which is a good sign.
Still clearly not a 'happy bunny' though.

RH- yup, I too was pleased I got the egg out whole- I was worried to death it'd break and cause more problems.

Will keep an update for you peeps.
Thanks for all your kind words and +ve vibes

[shirlthegirl43]

Is there a chance that she has strained herself while trying to push it out and just a few days quiet will do the trick?

[Nicos]

I really hope so Shirl.
She's one of my favourites- and that always makes things worse doesn't it????

[shirlthegirl43]

Poor wee chook, hope she is soon feeling better x

[Glutton4...]

Glad she was improved this morning. Try hand-feeding her some meal-worms or raisins or sommat special. Fingers crossed.

[Verinda]

I really hope your chook feels better soon.

Someone told me that if your hen is egg bound a good way to help her is to put hot water in a bowl, then put a folded towel over the bowl. Hold your hen over the towel, making sure she has plenty of feathers covering her bottom so she isn't burnt! The heat will soften her muscles and she will be able to lay her egg. I have only two weeks experience of owning hens so I can't say if this is any good or not but the lady who told me about it said it works extremely well, so I just thought I'd pass it on in case it might be of help to you.

Fi

[Nicos]

Still with us this evening but looking very tired.
She keeps closing her inner lid but at least is drinking a bit and opening her eyes.

Like the idea of raisins....

[Nicos]

Still with us but very much the same.
Just the occasional sip of water when offered- won't eat anything, not using legs at all.

She will flap both wings if picked up but then spreads them out sideways when put down ( almost as if she's sunbathing). She has at least stopped panting.

Looks like it's a matter of time either way.