Hi,
I think my chicken is egg bound, i'd like to try to help her get unstuck and hope that that is in fact what's got her looking unhappy.
I'd take her to the vet but i have no vehicle for the next 3 days and have to make do as best as i can. (i live 10kms from anywhere and walking that far would take way too long).
She hasn't laid an egg since Friday (it's tuesday now). I had a feel under her bottom but didn't feel anything like an egg I didn't feel inside her cloaca though (not yet)
She did seem to have a sensitive vent area though when I had another feel today.
She's spent a lot of time in the laying area of her house today and left it when i had a look to see if she was okay (and take the other two eggs there) Then she left the house and sat under it for a while. now she's under a shrub, standing. looking underneath herself now and again but just standing there. Usually she's our 'top' hen.
I saw her poop but it looked like it might have been broken egg only really liquid. I looked where it all landed but there was no yolk and there was a fair bit of white there.
Yesterday when she gave up trying to lay, her vent area was quite wet not pooy just wet. I should have clued in then but the penny drops slowly sometimes.
Other info about her is: comb and wattle paler but not pale just not as vibrant of red, though that could be my imagination since i know something is wrong anyway. the other's look fine. and have the same colour wattle and comb. Her tail is isn't upright any more, downish. not droopy though. Her wings are still folded neatly at her side. She doesn't seem to be interested in food but i've seen her drinking today. and she tested a piece of cheese i held out to her but didn't really eat it.
I've had a scan of 'egg bound' topics in the forum and would like to try to lube her cloaca and put her in the warm water. I've got a couple questions though before I set out to do this.
Someone said the temp should be about 42 degrees do I presume Celcius? and how long should I have her in the water? Unfortunately I don't have enough experience to use my own judgement in this case. Also how far in her cloaca is an egg usually stuck? (more to the point, how far should I expect to have to put my finger?) I'm also going to give them worming medication once i've got access to a vehicle to get some.
Is this going to stress the bird out? sticking my finger where it has no business then giving her a bath? I suppose it's better stressed than fatal.
thank you for you help.
Vi