Chick walking like a duck!

[marystarmore]

Hi we have 2 chickens, after one suddenly died 3 weeks ago. Not sure what she died of - she looked a bit sorry for herself at 11am and was gone by 3pm. Since then I have noticed that our white Hybrid is walking a bit like a duck. She kind of waddles around, not lifting herself too far off the ground with her tail pointing down. Last weekend after not laying for 4 days I had a good feel up her vent to check nothing was stuck, put her in a warm bath, (well kitchen sink) for about 20 mins and she went back to laying. Now, again she hasn't laid for a couple of days and is still not walking right. Otherwise she seems fine, eating/drinking well, interested in foraging, dust bathing. I wormed them fairly recently but have started another course, just in case. Obviously I'm worried that we're going to lose another so soon. We've only had them since October as POL's and not having too much luck so far! They've also got access to grit and free range all day. I've had a good look at lots of forums and websites and still haven't come up with much so if anyone here can help I would be very grateful. Thanks

 

[foxy]

It does sound like an on-going egg laying problem. The waddling stance combined with a low tail is normally associated with the hen being egg-bound, or internally laying.

A little bit of info regarding their diet, and her history, any infections or poor quality egg shells in the past?

In other respects does she look and behave like a healthy chook? Does she look overweight, or when you examined her did her abdomen feel swollen, hot or a bit tight like a drum?

Placing a hen in warm water does help, you could this method again, although if there is problem there could be a backlog of eggs there and in that case she would need advice and treatment from a vet, one with poultry experience preferably.

Finally welcome to the forum! 99

 

[marystarmore]

I'm hoping you're right as I've just spent another hour trawling the sites! There's some pretty nasty stuff out there. I have felt around quite extensively and she feels no different to our Ranger who's in rude health. Yes, she has laid soft shelled eggs in the past. We were never 100% sure it was her but now the other chicken has gone it's become clearer who's laying what. Although the eggs have been fine for some time now. I will try the bath again tomorrow if there's no egg and phone our vet although I'm not sure how much poultry experience they'll have as we live in London! We would like to get a replacement chook/s in case we lose this one as I don't want to be left with only one so if it can be confirmed that it's egg-laying problems I will feel much safer doing this. Many Thanks - I need reassurance most of all I think. Dogs and cats are much easier!

 

[Tim]

It's obviously not possible to make a diagnosis without veterinary examination, however I would suspect internal laying as Foxy suggested.

Egg Peritonitis is a possibility. This is when the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen) becomes inflamed due to an infection from bacteria. Peritonitis can occur after prolapse or when yolk goes into the abdominal cavity, instead of going down the oviduct and out in the normal way.

Walking like a duck or the 'Penguin Stance' as it is sometimes called can indicate an egg bound hen or peritonitis.

Vets will usually drain the fluid and use antibiotics for infection and an X-ray will usually show the build up internally of eggs that are being laid internally. It could cost a considerable amount to diagnose, X-ray and treat such a condition 06

Do let us know how she gets on and welcome to the forum. 99

Tim.

 

[tygrysek75]

Where in London are you?Companion care(New Malden) inside Pets at home have great bird friendly vet,they open on Sundays too phone 02089462105 post code is SW20 0JQ ask for Retief