Droopy butt

[mikepost]

One of my chickens (almost two years old) is acting strange. When she is standing, her butt is sort of drooping, much like that of a duck. She seperated herself from the others in the flock. She didn't put up too much of a fuss when I picked her up. I gave her a warm soak and she seemed to enjoy it. She has been eating and drinking good (two days in a kennel now) Her poop piles appear normal but smells different than the normal poop. Her eyes and comb are normal. I dont think she is egg bound but hasn't started laying for the spring as of yet ( I'm in southern Maine). Thanks for any advice.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

One of my chickens (almost two years old) is acting strange. When she is standing, her butt is sort of drooping, much like that of a duck. She seperated herself from the others in the flock. She didn't put up too much of a fuss when I picked her up. I gave her a warm soak and she seemed to enjoy it. She has been eating and drinking good (two days in a kennel now) Her poop piles appear normal but smells different than the normal poop. Her eyes and comb are normal. I dont think she is egg bound but hasn't started laying for the spring as of yet ( I'm in southern Maine). Thanks for any advice.

Hi Mike,

Any photos?
Is her bum what you would describe as swollen or fluid filled?

It's so hard to know what's going on sometimes. From what you describe, she may have some type of internal laying/reproductive disorder like Ascites, Egg Yolk Peritonitis, Salpingitis, cancer or tumors.

Provide her with some poultry vitamins and extra calcium. Soaking her won't hurt if you have her where you can dry her and she doesn't get chilled.

 

[mikepost]

Here is how she is standing. Today she is having more difficulty walking, almost like stumbling around. She'll extend one wing out slightly to keep her balance. I am able to give her baths, I keep her in the house. The area between her breasts and vent seems similar to the others. We give them calcium regularly especially in the winter. She is still eating and drinking good. I'll look more into the conditions you mentioned. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Here is how she is standing. Today she is having more difficulty walking, almost like stumbling around. She'll extend one wing out slightly to keep her balance. I am able to give her baths, I keep her in the house. The area between her breasts and vent seems similar to the others. We give them calcium regularly especially in the winter. She is still eating and drinking good. I'll look more into the conditions you mentioned. Thanks for the suggestions.

Offer her some poultry vitamins and extra calcium - you can crush a TUMS or dissolve it in some water and syringe it into her. If you have liquid calcium dose is usually 1cc. Soaking her in a warm tub of water with epsom salts added may be helpful as well.

Is she pooping?

From her stance it looks like she may be either egg bound or has something like Egg Yolk Peritonitis (EYP). If she is still pooping, then she most likely isn't egg bound, but you may want to have another feel. Internal laying/reproductive disorders like EYP are fairly common in laying hens, if she has fluid in the abdomen (Ascites) sometimes you can give relief by draining excess fluid with a needle. Antibiotics usually are not that successful in treating any of these conditions, but may help give some relief for a short period of time. Supportive care is usually the course of treatment (fluids, vitamins, calcium, etc.).

I'm sorry, I wish I had better answers. If you have a vet that can examine her or do some xrays, they can rule out EYP, cancer or tumors (blockages/masses in the abdomen).

Peritonitis and internal egg laying issues:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/

 

[mikepost]

Thanks again for the response. She is pooping, it still seems normal other than the odor didn't smell like their normal smelling poop. She is still eating and drinking. I've been supplementing her food with plenty of greens, grapes, and blueberries. Also none of the rest if the flock seem affected.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks again for the response. She is pooping, it still seems normal other than the odor didn't smell like their normal smelling poop. She is still eating and drinking. I've been supplementing her food with plenty of greens, grapes, and blueberries. Also none of the rest if the flock seem affected.

Do you provide calcium - oyster shell?

More than likely her condition would not affect the rest of the flock. Internal laying/reproductive disorders are usually an "individual problem". I encourage you to take a look at the links provided, they are a valuable source of information and education on some issues that laying hens can face.

I wish you well.

Peritonitis and internal egg laying issues:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/

 

[mikepost]

Yes, we do give them calcium. The egg shells are always nice and thick. I'll check the links you added. Her poop is more normal smelling now. She is moving around a bit better but still droopy. I'll also continue with her baths, she seems to enjoy them. She's also still eating good. Thanks again. top

 

[mikepost]

Just an update on my sick girl. I brought her to the vet the other day and she did indeed suffer from yoke peritoitis. I had to put her down.