The Poultry Keeper

eejay · Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Cornwall

We have a lovely copper-headed Maran, who usually lays an egg every 1-2 days. Recently her eggs have been becoming more oval/ elongated (ouch!) The last 3 days or so she hasn't laid at all, her comb is a bit flat and she has a dirty bottom (she is usually a very clean hen). Still eating and drinking and her feathers seem shiny, but she's easier to catch than usual (she's normally impossible) My husband tried to have a quick look at her vent, but said he couldn't see anything.
We have a book at home which says if hens are eggbound, you have to hold them over boiling water- I don't fancy this as I think I'd probably drop her!
Any ideas what might be wrong with her- she is a lovely hen and we would be very upset to lose her
Thanks

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1851 Location: norfolk

I don't think she's egg bound. When they are, they tend to keep going in the house to try to lay an egg. Sounds like a bacterial infection. Especially as she is easier to catch and has a dirty bottom. Does she free range? Chickens which free range often know which plants to eat to self medicate. I think if she is still not right come Tuesday, you should take her to the vet.

eejay · Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 17 Location: Cornwall

Thanks kated- yes, she does free range, so hopefully she will sort herself out. She hasn't got any worse today (but doesn't seem 100% either)
I'll see how she is on Tuesday!

voodooslippers · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Oxford

Hi, I have a similar problem with my hen. It's been over a month and she hasn't laid a thing.
She sleeps on the ground (as she has a crippled leg from fox attack), and has a dirty vent too.
She's also become very fat, and I wonder if this is why she isn't laying. She seems fine otherwise, and other than being fat and slow, seems happy. I dont' want to turn her into soup, but if she never lays again may have to consider it.

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1345 Location: Manchester

voodooslippers · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Oxford

I think her abdomen is actually swollen. She's extremely heavy to pick up, and looks big, but i'm not sure if it's all in fat.
I cant' feel any eggs inside, but haven't pressed hard for fear of breaking anything. Fluid seems to fit more.
Would this mean a heart problem?

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1345 Location: Manchester

Most probably, Ascites in hens is usually caused by a failure of the right ventricle of the heart, this causes the buildup of fluid that you're noticing. It can also be caused by liver problems like cirrhosis.

there's a very in depth article on ascites syndrome in hens here:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/204601.htm

voodooslippers · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Oxford

Doesn't look like there's anything i can do to make her better except give her a good life really. Sad

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1345 Location: Manchester

If you feel up to it you can draw off some of the fluid from her abdomen.

As the fluid builds up it causes problems with breathing, releasing some pressure will help. You can also try diuretics but I'm not sure what you can use or how much for a hen.

If you don't feel up to that then you need to consider euthanasia - the fluid will cause problems as it builds up and it's not fair to let her carry on till something gives.

If she's started slowing down and 'waddling' instead of walking then it's starting to get tough for her already.