Can a hen still lay with EYP?

[cheepcheepnash]

Our two-and-a-half-year-old lavender Orpington has been acting funny and we are concerned about egg yolk peritonitis. Can chickens still lay when they have this condition?

She has been laying some soft-shelled eggs the past few weeks and some normal ones. She also has been laying sometimes in the run, although it has been very hot.

Yesterday she seemed slightly subdued, was little puffed up, and had her wings hanging. She laid a normal egg and after 30 minutes or so she was back to her normal self. She ate, drank, ran, and preened. (Something similar happened last week.)

Overnight she laid another soft shelled egg and is now in a nesting box.

Does this sound like it could be EYP?

 

[azygous]

No. She might be producing pathetic forms of eggs, but not normal eggs with EYP. My guess is she is suffering heat shock and it's affecting her laying normal eggs. She may also have low calcium reserves.

If you aren't giving the flock electrolytes in their water during this hot spell, then it would be a good idea. Add extra sugar to the water to help those chickens suffering heat stress.

This hen could use calcium citrate, one tablet whole directly in her beak once a day until this crisis passes. Here'e what to buy if you're in the US.

 

[cheepcheepnash]

Thank you! That is very helpful! We will keep a close eye on her and try all of these things. We so appreciate it!