Broken Egg in Serama hen

[LuvBantums]

Well this is the third help request this week! I have a tiny Serama hen that continues to lay thin eggs even though she has plenty of calcium. Her mom was the same way. She looks like in the photos that she has an egg still in her but I see the sticky substance from the egg coming out. She has done this before but it all came out. I gave her a Epsom warm soak like before but this time not working. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[rebrascora]

She looks very swollen and quite bald back there and I am thinking this may have been a problem for longer than just a day or two as you would find with being egg bound and it might be something more serious like Salpingitis that has been building up for a while.

It is not possible to make out what the discharge is that you are seeing due to the lighting in the photos but it may be urates seeping out. Have you inserted a lubricated gloved finger into her vent whilst she is soaking and tried to clear out her vent?

 

[LuvBantums]

She looks very swollen and quite bald back there and I am thinking this may have been a problem for longer than just a day or two as you would find with being egg bound and it might be something more serious like Salpingitis that has been building up for a while.

It is not possible to make out what the discharge is that you are seeing due to the lighting in the photos but it may be urates seeping out. Have you inserted a lubricated gloved finger into her vent whilst she is soaking and tried to clear out her vent?

I'm going to do that now. She looks like she has lost her features but this is from the bath and stuff coming out. She is a miracle since she was born and had tons of problems since. I don't think I can handle another week like this one. It makes me look like I don't take care of my babies!

 

[LuvBantums]

She looks very swollen and quite bald back there and I am thinking this may have been a problem for longer than just a day or two as you would find with being egg bound and it might be something more serious like Salpingitis that has been building up for a while.

It is not possible to make out what the discharge is that you are seeing due to the lighting in the photos but it may be urates seeping out. Have you inserted a lubricated gloved finger into her vent whilst she is soaking and tried to clear out her vent?

Sorry I keep bothering you, but I have only done this on a bigger hen and as you know these are a lot smaller. What is the best and safest way to enter her vent? Also, how far should I go judging by her size?

 

[rebrascora]

I don't think I can handle another week like this one. It makes me look like I don't take care of my babies!

Not at all. You obviously do care otherwise you would not be here seeking help. There are several posts were people are experiencing multiple problems in their flock and like you are prepared to go to extra lengths to try to save them. Chickens are prone to so many different ailments and sometimes one ailment can weaken the immune system and lead to others, so your situation is not all that unusual. Breeding from a hen that suffered laying problems was probably not a good idea though in this case.... always best to select strong healthy parents when breeding.

As regards you question about doing an internal exam, I would do it whilst she is soaking in warm Epsom salts so that she is relaxed and the water will help lubricate. Use a small finger and gently work it in but don't force it. If there is a lot of resistance, try to establish if it is because the inside of her cloaca is impacted/caked with poop/urates or if the resistance is due to something beyond the cloaca..... ie masses pressing on the cloaca from inside but the cloacal walls themselves feel smooth and clean. You do not want to insert further than an inch but be guided by the bird and how it feels. If the cloaca is impacted you may not be able to insert your finger at all and may need to start breaking up the contents by using a tool like a cotton bud (Q tip) but this would need to be done very slowly and carefully. I am not suggesting you insert a Q tip into her vent though as you need to use a finger to be able to feel for resistance etc. If you are unsure a vet would be best.

 

[LuvBantums]

Not at all. You obviously do care otherwise you would not be here seeking help. There are several posts were people are experiencing multiple problems in their flock and like you are prepared to go to extra lengths to try to save them. Chickens are prone to so many different ailments and sometimes one ailment can weaken the immune system and lead to others, so your situation is not all that unusual. Breeding from a hen that suffered laying problems was probably not a good idea though in this case.... always best to select strong healthy parents when breeding.

As regards you question about doing an internal exam, I would do it whilst she is soaking in warm Epsom salts so that she is relaxed and the water will help lubricate. Use a small finger and gently work it in but don't force it. If there is a lot of resistance, try to establish if it is because the inside of her cloaca is impacted/caked with poop/urates or if the resistance is due to something beyond the cloaca..... ie masses pressing on the cloaca from inside but the cloacal walls themselves feel smooth and clean. You do not want to insert further than an inch but be guided by the bird and how it feels. If the cloaca is impacted you may not be able to insert your finger at all and may need to start breaking up the contents by using a tool like a cotton bud (Q tip) but this would need to be done very slowly and carefully. I am not suggesting you insert a Q tip into her vent though as you need to use a finger to be able to feel for resistance etc. If you are unsure a vet would be best.

Sorry took so long to get back but I wanted to make sure she's comfortable and took photos. It didn't take long once I put my finger in her vent and she discarded what you see in the picture and then had a poop movement. It was like a breath of fresh air for her. It looks like the yoke. I did put her on antibiotics when I first noticed she was having problems but forgot to mention that. She is a miracle because I didn't breed her mom because she also went through the same thing but not this bad. Her and her daughter are my house chickens but I do let the go out with the other Seramas for the chicken thing. Again thank you so very much and hope you can help me through more of her treatment and recovery.

 

[rebrascora]

Pleased you were able to help her pass that and she is more comfortable now. I'm not one for willy nilly use of antibiotics but in this case it may well be a beneficial move. Good luck with her and keep us posted on her progress.

 

[LuvBantums]

Pleased you were able to help her pass that and she is more comfortable now. I'm not one for willy nilly use of antibiotics but in this case it may well be a beneficial move. Good luck with her and keep us posted on her progress.

Thank you!! I only put her the antibiotic because I had a feeling it was broken in her and I know this can be a death sentence. One more question if you don't mind.....is there anything else I can do? I know it's a wait and see but I could use any advice at all! Thank you

 

[rebrascora]

I would give her a direct dose of calcium.... ie a human calcium with vitamin D supplement tablet crushed up on some scrambled egg or other favourite treat.... or any other calcium supplement.... a crushed Tums tablet at a push, for a few days. Oyster shell is much slower to be absorbed than these supplements. You might want to reassess their diet and see if perhaps you are feeding them too many treats which are diluting their calcium supplement from their layer feed. A general poultry vitamin supplement Like Nutri Drench might also be worthwhile for a few days.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Sorry took so long to get back but I wanted to make sure she's comfortable and took photos. It didn't take long once I put my finger in her vent and she discarded what you see in the picture and then had a poop movement. It was like a breath of fresh air for her. It looks like the yoke. I did put her on antibiotics when I first noticed she was having problems but forgot to mention that. She is a miracle because I didn't breed her mom because she also went through the same thing but not this bad. Her and her daughter are my house chickens but I do let the go out with the other Seramas for the chicken thing. Again thank you so very much and hope you can help me through more of her treatment and recovery.

Thank you!! I only put her the antibiotic because I had a feeling it was broken in her and I know this can be a death sentence. One more question if you don't mind.....is there anything else I can do? I know it's a wait and see but I could use any advice at all! Thank you

I agree with giving her antibiotics, what are you using?