Broken eggshell in vent. Please help!

[micstrachan]

Keep a close watch on her body language and watch for infection. Her body may shut down her reproductive system for a bit.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

This afternoon I noticed she had an eggshell hanging from her bottom and when I tried to pull it out it wouldn’t come out easily. It was a hard normal feeling shell, not soft. She was eventually able to get it out but all afternoon she kept squatting like she was trying to poop or lay an egg. Nothing ever came out but a little bit of yellowish white liquid. She’s still eating and drinking but not quite acting herself.

Most answers I saw suggested either an epsom soak or a white vinegar soak or flush but I don’t know which one would be best. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get my hands on any antibiotic because I’m not sure we have a “chicken doctor” in town. Also, is there a reason why she would she lay a normal egg this morning and lay another eggshell this afternoon?

I’m not sure it could have reattached, it was a very long piece of broken shell. It was shaped like a shard of glass

So far I haven’t noticed any blood just a small amount yellowish white liquid.

Do you have any photos of what you pulled out?
It was good that you got the shell out of her, it would not have reattached and made a "whole egg". It sounds like she had a glitch.
Have you noticed if she is able to poop? If she is pooping, that is good.

The yellow white liquid or discharge is probably a mixture of egg yolks and whites.
You can give her a soak in warm epsom salts to help soothe her if she is still not feeling too well. Don't flush the oviduct - you risk flushing bacteria back up into the reproductive tract.

Keep her drinking, give her some extra calcium (TUMS, 1/2tablet of Caltrate, etc). If you have poultry vitamins give her direct dose of those.

As to whether she needs antibiotics or if this is a precursor of peritonitis or another reproductive issue - it's hard to know. Sometimes this can be a one time glitch, other times, a hen may repeat this every so often. Treating with antibiotics to prevent infection is really up to you, if you decide to do that, then get some Amoxicillin to treat her. Dosage is 125mg/kg (57 mg per pound of weight) given 2 times a day for 5-7days.

https://hencam.com/henblog/2015/08/a-laying-glitch/

 

[tdarr4131]

Update on Beatrice - She still wasn’t acting herself yesterday so I decided to search her vent and I felt a broken piece of eggshell. I called all of our local vets and only one would see her but they couldn’t see her until today. I took her this morning and he was able to remove the piece of broken egg and another whole egg. He gave her an antibiotic shot so hopefully she’ll start acting herself soon. I’m going to give her another soak this afternoon to see if that helps her bottom feel better. Thank you so much for all of your replies!! I felt (and still feel) like a horrible chicken mom for not finding the problem sooner but hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update on Beatrice - She still wasn’t acting herself yesterday so I decided to search her vent and I felt a broken piece of eggshell. I called all of our local vets and only one would see her but they couldn’t see her until today. I took her this morning and he was able to remove the piece of broken egg and another whole egg. He gave her an antibiotic shot so hopefully she’ll start acting herself soon. I’m going to give her another soak this afternoon to see if that helps her bottom feel better. Thank you so much for all of your replies!! I felt (and still feel) like a horrible chicken mom for not finding the problem sooner but hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out

I'm glad you were able to see the vet and they were able to remove the shell.
With that out of there, couple with the antibiotics, I hope she bounces back quickly.

There is nothing to feel horrible about, it sounds like the shell was up in there, you may not have even been able to feel it.
Hydration is very important, so keep her drinking. She may benefit from extra calcium for a few days and vitamins too.

Thank you for the update, I hope all goes well.

 

[Melky]

Update on Beatrice - She still wasn’t acting herself yesterday so I decided to search her vent and I felt a broken piece of eggshell. I called all of our local vets and only one would see her but they couldn’t see her until today. I took her this morning and he was able to remove the piece of broken egg and another whole egg. He gave her an antibiotic shot so hopefully she’ll start acting herself soon. I’m going to give her another soak this afternoon to see if that helps her bottom feel better. Thank you so much for all of your replies!! I felt (and still feel) like a horrible chicken mom for not finding the problem sooner but hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out

You did a great job with immediately consulting a vet and seeking antibiotics because this probably saved your chicken. Chickens can get egg bound. You probably avoided a bad case of peritonitis by acting so quickly. Keep monitoring and if continues with problems, back to vet.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Update on Beatrice - She still wasn’t acting herself yesterday so I decided to search her vent and I felt a broken piece of eggshell. I called all of our local vets and only one would see her but they couldn’t see her until today. I took her this morning and he was able to remove the piece of broken egg and another whole egg. He gave her an antibiotic shot so hopefully she’ll start acting herself soon. I’m going to give her another soak this afternoon to see if that helps her bottom feel better. Thank you so much for all of your replies!! I felt (and still feel) like a horrible chicken mom for not finding the problem sooner but hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out

Honey......are you kidding me?? You did MORE than a lot of chicken Moms could or would. Chickens are so adept to hiding problems. It’s not like she came up to you and told you. Good catch on your end.
Seriously we’re so happy she turned the corner is on her way to recovery. She’s adorable!
Beatrice has a great Mom!

 

[Raenh]

You did an awesome job!