Deformed egg or.....?

[yxstu]

Hi Everyone.

I have three chickens. Two are 1-1/2 years old and one is four. One of the 1-1/2 year olds (brown layer) has been acting differently the last few days. She acts fine in the morning however halfway through the day she becomes lethargic and stands a little bow-legged and goes off on her own. She also appears a little confused. I started reading about her symptoms and it sounded like she may be eggbound. I placed her in a warm bath with Epsom salt for about 20 minutes and then dried her off and placed her in a dog crate with cedar bedding in our laundry room with a heat lamp to help her dry. I found some gloves and petroleum jelly and was getting ready to feel for an egg when it appeared she prolapsed and laid what appeared to be a very deformed egg and some white gooey substance. It was soft immediately after she laid it however it has since hardened. I attempted to push the prolapse back however I only ended up rubbing Vaseline on the prolapse. I just couldn't bring myself to try and gently push it back into place. After I gathered my nerves, I went back to finish the job however her prolapse appeared to have corrected itself. I placed her back in the crate and watched her. She looked like she was still trying to lay something and I noticed what appeared to be yolk material on the shavings. I gave her some food with calcium and water and she didn't have a problem eating and drinking. She still looks like she is trying to pass something when I checked on her this morning. She isn't prolapsed and she is still eating and drinking. I was out of town prior to this occurring and their water was VERY low so there is a possibility she became dehydrated. Any idea on what could be going on? Should I treat her with antibiotics or take her to the vet?

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings yxstu,

The photo shows a collapsed, soft shelled egg. Your hen has probably been laying soft shells for a few days, which accounts for her distress in the mornings. It is difficult for a hen to lay soft shelled or shell-less eggs (eggs with just the membrane). The hen's oviduct can even prolapse as they strain to lay the soft egg.

Usually, as long as the contents, and the shell have been ejected, the hen will recover quickly. Complications arise when a brittle shelled egg breaks inside the hen. So you will have to be vigilant, and ready to help the hen if that occurs.

For now, you need to determine why the hen is laying soft shelled eggs. You should also administer half a Tums tablet to the hen, to give a quick boost of calcium. Hopefully, you already offer extra calcium, like oyster shell, for the hens. If you do, then there may be another reason why the hen is laying soft shells.

Also, examine the hen's vent daily to make sure she has not prolapsed, again. Make sure the vent is clean, if not irrigate with some saline solution, or even a gentle, soapy water. Dry thoroughly. You may have to treat for prolapse, until the tissue stays in. Some Preparation H ointment or Manuka Honey can be helpful in reducing swelling of the prolapsed tissue. Some keepers, will keep the hen in a darkened room, so as not to stimulate egg laying. This will give the hen a chance to recover from prolapse. Administration of antibiotics for 10-14 days, is also good, to prevent or treat possible infection, during healing of severe prolapse.

Some causes for soft shells are:

• Egg shell gland not functioning
• Insufficient calcium, and/or vitamin D
• Stress from bullying
• Tumors of the oviduct
• Age - too young, or older hens
• Disease - such as, Infectious Bronchitis
• Internal infections - such as enteritis
• Anemia, injury (internal or external)

Always, keep the hens hydrated, an egg is about 75% water, and water is vital to the functioning of the hen's internal organs (liver and kidneys), as well. If the liver and kidneys are damaged from dehydration, the hen may never recover.

I have had hens go through this. Sometimes the hen will start to lay normally again, after a week or so, or after the calcium boost. But, if this continues for more than a few days, you may need to consult a vet.

These are my thoughts on your hen's issue. I hope I have been helpful.

God Bless

 

[yxstu1990]

Thank you so much for the post. It is very helpful. Since I am fairly new to raising chickens, I do not know what type of antibiotic to give. I saw Baytril on another posting. Would this be the best antibiotic to give?

Thanks again!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

I use a broad spectrum antibiotic. Enrofloxacin (Baytril), is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, I use it as an injectable. I always keep some Doxycycline tablets on hand; it too, is a broad spectrum antibiotic. I use it when ever a hen has serious reproductive issues, that present a danger of infection. It works very well. I am fortunate, to be able to drive down to my vet's office for medications. Antibiotics require a prescription here in California.

Every keeper has their own preference for treating with antibiotics.

 

[casportpony]

Anyone in the US, including California, can get Baytril without a prescription:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/baytril-enrofloxacin-sources.74374/

For those not in the US, try to find pigeon supply websites in your country that sell Baytril (enrofloxacin).

 

[rebrascora]

@Hen Pen Jem has it covered. The only thing I would say is that the colour of that egg membrane suggests that infection may have already set in.... it is the colour of "lash egg" and whilst I am usually very cautious about recommending a course of antibiotics "just in case" I would say that starting her on them asap in this situation would be prudent. Infection in the oviduct (salpingitis) which causes "lash eggs" is very hard to treat once it becomes established and often results in the death of a bird sooner or later. Antibiotic treatment at the earliest opportunity is recommended.

 

[casportpony]

I agree about the color, it does look like there could be an infection brewing.