Help.........

[Olivia9801]

Our favourite hen (a Welsumer) has suddenly become unwell.

I have just been out to check her and noticed a lot of poo stuck to her bum feathers. I lifted her up to have a closer look and saw what looked like a large bubble hanging out from her inside.

Initially I thought it maybe a dropped uterus, but I maybe wrong and would appreciate any advice on what you may think it is, and what I could do about it.

I got mt doubts about her making it through the night, but I maybe wrong?

 

[Marigold]

Hi Olivia, sorry to hear about your hen. It's always the favourite ones, isn't it?
I expect she has had a prolapse. Same sort of thing as a dropped uterus, except hens don't have a uterus, just an oviduct down which the eggs pass and on their way they get coated with membrane and shell. Coincidentally, someone else has just reported a problem which sounds as if it might be the same thing, and I gave some links which may help you as well. See her thread at http://poultrykeeperforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7915
I do hope you can help her to feel more comfortable. Can you bring her indoors tonight, away from the other hens, who might get up early and peck her bum? Chickens can be quite horrible to each other I'm afraid.
Do let us know how it goes overnight, good luck.

 

[Olivia9801]

Many Thanks Marrigold for your reply.

Your advice has led me at least know exactly what has happened. We will part her from the rest today and have a go at putting it back.

The only thing is she is getting on a bit so it seems that it will reoccur.

Fingers crossed.

Olivia9801

 

[Tim]

It does sound like a prolapsed oviduct but without a photo or more accurate description, I could be wrong.

There's some information on prolapse here that may help: http://poultrykeeper.com/reproductive-system-problems/prolapsed-oviduct

This can be re-inserted but normally re-occurs during egg laying. Being practical, it is sometimes better to put her to sleep to stop others pecking at it. I don't generally try to help as I've found it results in the same problem shortly afterwards :-(

If she is a pet, you can pay specialist poultry vets for a suprelorin implant to stop her laying. I haven't personally done this before.

 

[chrismahon]

if it is prolapse a possibility is separation and a wheat diet. See my post on Elisa's prolapse. She is fine now after her month break. The first egg was bloody but no repeat prolapse. She lays fine now and very happy. But she was a young bird.