Chicken has a hard butt and not moving?

Once they are this far along, the options are very limited. First it would have to be determined what exactly is going on, infection, cancer, internal laying. Most infections of this kind don't respond to antibiotics unless they are caught very early, and they almost never are because the birds hide it so well (survival instinct). For cancers there really is no treatment. If it were internal laying, then as far along as it is, she probably would not survive surgery. I would never tell someone not to seek vet care and try treatment, if that is what you want to do. But in my experience, and I've lost a fair amount to reproductive problems, they generally don't recover. I've tried treating some of them that I thought might have been caught early enough, but I have yet to have one recover. I leave them with the flock as long as they are eating and drinking well. Once they isolate themselves, go off food and water, draw attacks by the others (and they will go after a sick or weak bird), and are obviously feeling unwell, then I don't let them suffer and I euthanize. I'm very sorry, not news anyone wants to hear. :hugs
 
The reality is that her symptoms and the new symptoms of wing droop all indicate beginning of end of life organ failure.

I've had hens with similar symptoms and when they died, I opened them up and found cancer everywhere. I've even posted a thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-a-chicken-gross-and-disgusting-pics.1296324/ with my findings. It was ugly, to risk an understatement. There's no cure for almost all reproductive infections, especially cancer.
So do you think it would be better to just euthanise her now instead of her being in pain for a few weeks since it can’t be treated?
 
Yes. I would euthanize her now. The deciding factor when I am facing when to euthanize is a chicken getting worse and not better, especially when it's this obvious what's wrong.
 
The decision to euthanize, and when it's time, is very individual to all of us. If you think it is time, then it is. Really, they let you know if you are paying attention. It's the worst part of chicken keeping, but a necessary part. If you feel that she is suffering needlessly, with no hope of getting better, then it is the kind thing to do. I still don't like doing it, but I feel I owe the kindness to them in repayment for all the eggs and enjoyment they provide to me during their life.
 
I have a hen who has not been moving about a lot and she just stays in one place. She has been like that for about a week. Today I felt her butt or the part under the tail and it is really hard. She is a battery hen that we recused so she has no feathers there. She is drinking but not eating. I felt some other chickens “butts” and there were not hard. I thought she migt he egg bound but she doesn’t ever lay eggs (even when we was ok) and egg bound chicken only lives for 48 hours and it has been a week? Does anyone know what it wrong with her and what I can do to help her?
Update, she died last night so at least she is not in pain anymore 😭
 
I'm very sorry about your hen.
It sounds like it's probably a reproductive problem. Not uncommon with hens over the age of two or breeds that were bred for prolific egg laying. Can you post a picture of the abdomen where it's hard? It could be infection like salpingitis, a cancer, or internal laying. With most of the reproductive problems treatment is limited and often not successful. The actual cause is often not known until they pass and a necropsy is done. If it were internal laying then it possibly could be treated with surgery and a suprelorin implant to stop laying. Any surgery is risky for birds, and the implant has to be replaced periodically. Not inexpensive.
http://www.poultrydvm.com/drugs/deslorelin
If you want to pursue treatment then an avian vet is your best option, to try to narrow down if it's treatable or not.
I personally, leave them with the flock until they are obviously not feeling well, then I euthanize.
:hugs
I have one acting the same way. Should I keeping her with the others is ok. I soaked her in empsom salt she liked that. She is three.
 
If she's able to get herself around, eating and drinking, no one is attacking her, then yes, I would leave her with the flock. They are usually less stressed that way.
 
I am so so sorry for your loss. I had one like that and she hemmoraged at night and passed the very next day. It's so hard when we can't help but we want to. Hugs. Again I'm truly sorry.
 

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