My 9 year old hen laid a few eggs earlier this year, then paused. Yesterday I found a smallish egg that I believe was hers (based on size and color- -I only have one other hen laying, and her eggs are larger) There was also a soft shell egg in the laying box. Fast forward to this evening, when I was feeding scratch grains/treats. The others came running, but she was slow to come in and disinterested in treats, instead she went to the free choice calcium. I checked again in 30 minutes, and she was up on the roost, having put herself to bed quite early. Comb seemed extra red, and she was a little puffy. Decided to isolate her, and wash her messy butt. That's when I saw her vent enlarged, sort of "open" and brighter red in the middle. It was pulsing, and she was expelling some clear liquid.
I did soak and clean her entire vent area, wrapped in a towel and put her in the hospital cage. provided water and some scrambled egg, blueberries. She ate a little then rested. An hour or so later I heard a racket-- she was puffed up and vocalizing and seemed to be pushing? I figured she was going to die on me. Left to google more help on prolapse.... Returned with preparation H and she had laid an egg. It has a thin shell, no color (she lays turquoise eggs) and she was pecking at it, eating. The food bowl was empty- she's eaten a whole egg plus maybe 10 blue berries. I took the egg away, and scrambled it for her. While it cooled, I soaked her butt again, then applied quite a bit of preparation H. She was bright, wanted to eat more, looked SO MUCH better.
Obviously she needs supportive treatment. But I've not had a prolapse before. Please advise? I've seen bathe/soak and don't bathe/soak. Preparation H? antibiotic ointment? Limit hours of light so she won't lay? (what 9 year old hen lays anyway??? and it appears she may have had eggs backed up, because maybe it's 3 in 2 days?)
What can I do for her, and how long does recovery usually take? THANK YOU in advance for guidance. She's special to me, and I want to do right by her.
I did soak and clean her entire vent area, wrapped in a towel and put her in the hospital cage. provided water and some scrambled egg, blueberries. She ate a little then rested. An hour or so later I heard a racket-- she was puffed up and vocalizing and seemed to be pushing? I figured she was going to die on me. Left to google more help on prolapse.... Returned with preparation H and she had laid an egg. It has a thin shell, no color (she lays turquoise eggs) and she was pecking at it, eating. The food bowl was empty- she's eaten a whole egg plus maybe 10 blue berries. I took the egg away, and scrambled it for her. While it cooled, I soaked her butt again, then applied quite a bit of preparation H. She was bright, wanted to eat more, looked SO MUCH better.
Obviously she needs supportive treatment. But I've not had a prolapse before. Please advise? I've seen bathe/soak and don't bathe/soak. Preparation H? antibiotic ointment? Limit hours of light so she won't lay? (what 9 year old hen lays anyway??? and it appears she may have had eggs backed up, because maybe it's 3 in 2 days?)
What can I do for her, and how long does recovery usually take? THANK YOU in advance for guidance. She's special to me, and I want to do right by her.
