Backyard Poultry Forum

Hi, I have a light sussex hen, about 6 years old. Not much in her crop, bright red wattles. Hasn't laid for years - I think this is because she has has a large soft mass below her cloaca for about the same time. She is standing still and straining as if constipated. Any tips on what this might be and how it could be treated?

We have just moved to a slightly colder area, which involved a 1.5 hr trip in the car, and new hen house.

Age: 6+
Breed: Light Sussex
Sex: F

Your Location- country, state (different areas/climates have different problems)
ANSWER: Beechmont, Qld

What is wrong? What symptoms have you noted? - As much detail as possible please.
ANSWER: She is standing still, and tall, and straining as if constipated. Does not appear to be eating much (crop hasn't got much in it). Otherwise wondering around with the other birds (free range). Poo below the cloaca.

What are you feeding? - Please list everything you're feeding to your birds, including type of basic feed, free ranging, scraps, extras, etc. If possible give approximate percentages. Organic pellet / grain mix. Plus they free range. Lettuce, silverbeet, broccoli leaves and flowers.
ANSWER:


Full droppings description.- colour, consistency, frequency, offensive smell.
ANSWER: Look normal

Respiratory Changes?- eg. breathing sounds, discharge, laboured breathing, facial swelling
ANSWER: No

Digestive Changes?- eg. eating, drinking, crop filling & emptying
ANSWER: Not much in crop

Condition Changes?- eg. Weight, comb/wattle colour, skin, feathering
ANSWER: Might be thinner than usual

Behavioural Changes?- inc. socialising, laying, crowing, broodiness
ANSWER: No

Agility Changes? - eg. any lameness, favouring, energy levels
ANSWER: Less active than usual

Describe your usual worming routine and products. [If none, say so and skip the next 3 worming questions.] Do you have a cycle that you use eg. every 3 months, or every six months?
ANSWER: None

1. When was the bird last wormed??- approximate date.
ANSWER:

2. What product was used to worm the bird, and how was it given? ? eg. in the drinking water, on the skin, by injection?
ANSWER:

3. Was a follow up dose given? (eg. 10-14 days later)
ANSWER:

Any other recent medications?- antibiotics, coccidiosis meds, herbal remedies, etc
ANSWER: No

Other changes? – additions to the flock, diet, housing, extreme weather
ANSWER: We have just moved to a slightly colder area, which involved a 1.5 hr trip in the car, and new hen house. The birds have also seen their first brush turkeys and other wildlife. Coop is secure against rats, snakes, foxes, etc, but is probably more draughty than their old coop.

Photos? – any relevant photos are very helpful
INSERT HERE:

Thanks!

I think you should worm her definitely, and set up a worming schedule, I usually worm every three months (just in case). She could be egg bound, but if she hasn't laid for a couple of years then probably not. She might be just stressed from the trip. It might help to give her an epson salt bath (if she is egg bound). When my chooks are sick or stressed I give them vetsence Avi-lyte. You could always try apple cider vinegar in her water. You could give her garlic (float cloves in water or give her garlic tea, even garlic powder in feed). If she doesn't get better in a couple of days definitely take her to a vet.
Hope this will help!

Good luck!

My first thought is that she may have a growth obstructing her intestine given that you say she has a large soft mass and she doesn't appear to be eating

Consider getting her to a Vet for a check.

Given her age the answer might be TLC and make "the decision" when she no longer has quality of life

_________________
Cheers, Milo.
I observe in fascination a worm move by peristaltic action through the freshly turned earth as I plant out my chilies. Grasping the Annelid I toss it to the waiting pack of beady-eyed vultures and watch the ensuing mayhem while laughing like a chook!

Hi, thanks so much for the replies. It turned out that Hedwig (the chook) sorted herself out soon after I posted and has been good ever since. I did give her a warm bath (of her nether regions) and cleaned up the adhering poo anyway. Maybe it was just the upheaval of moving and the new food (there was a lot of dry grain left scattered in the new coop and I suspect she gorged herself on that, and did not have as much green feed in the first 24 hours, as we kept them in the coop to settle in).
Cheers

Good outcome.
Follow on thought -the "large soft mass", is it solid or does it feel to be full of water?