[Carla]

WHen I collected my ex-batts yesterday, I noticed that 1 of them quite obviously had an egg waiting to come out. As she's got no feathers, you can see it quite prominently, it is a full egg size lump. I was presuming she'd lay during the night, but today, no egg and the lumps still there. She's eating, drinking and walking about, looks bright and alert. Am I just being a panic merchant or do you think it could be stuck??

Scrap that........I've just picked her up (she was NOT amused) and the egg sized lump isnt a lump at all, its squashy and really soft, like there's nothing in there at all except maybe some poo. So I'm presuming she's just a funny shape!?

[alancane]

Where you say she is a funny shape? Can you take a picture? Is she bald there? If she is bald, maybe it just looks more prominent compared to if it was covered with feathers?

[nicky d]

I think alan is right in that because she doesnt have any feathers there everything is gonna be on show as it were,  just keep an eye on her and calm down,  ( gees i have to laugh at myself here, im telling you to calm down and there was me stressing all last nite cause i thought my new girl had got bumble foot , thankfully she doesnt)   Nickyxx

[Carla]

Tried to get a photo, but she's not having any of it!
Its an egg sized lump, just below her vent. They'll all bald in that area and hers is way more egg shaped and bigger than the other 3, but she seems fine health wise. Im thinking she's just a bit deformed or something.
Havent seen her poo yet though and her vents constantly on the go as if she's trying to get something out. I'll keep an eye on her all day and see whats going on, she could be a bit constipated I suppose???

[Casey76]

How does the lump feel - fluidy/oedematous/semi solid?

Common problems in ex bats are internal laying / egg yolk peritonitis, or heart conditions which would lead to abdimonal oedema.

Best bet is to take the hen to the vet for a diagnosis, as neither scenarios have a very good prognosis.

[Carla]

It feels fluidy I think, no lumps or tissue there, just soft and squashy. Its right under her vent.
I'll phone the vet