Easter Eggers not laying possible EYP

[Skibum]

Why do I always recognize problems in hens on the weekend. I have to work until Tuesday. I will contact my vet on Monday about getting antibiotics as I’m pretty sure I need them.

I have 2 EE they are about 1.5 years old. They free range a few hours a day and get fed scratch and peck layer. They have access to oyster shell. They have probably been eating chick feed as well because I had a broody hatch out a few eggs.

I have not gotten any blue eggs for a few days. At first I wasn’t concerned because they were acting normal. Then Fae, one of my EEs started acting a little slow. I wasn’t sure if she was just tired of the rooster (she is his favorite) or if something else was wrong. I noticed she was regrowing some feathers after getting pretty roughed up. Then I was checking her crop because she has had an impacted crop twice in her life, but it does not seem to be the issue.

My other EE Frankie is also not laying. Fae has always been my smallest hen but she still feels a little light where as Frankie feels heavy. Her abdomen is possibly swollen but also maybe not and she’s just chunky. It is not especially squishy or firm.

Anyways, Fae was more off today. Isolated with vent pulsing and I noticed some yellowish poop on her rear end. I gave her calcium citrate and an Epsom salt bath 1.5 tablets at 350mg. She then kinda settled like she was trying to lay. Frankie also got 350mg at bed time bc she is my flightiest chicken besides my polish Roo. No bath for her yet maybe tomorrow.

I try to keep their area clean but I’m struggling bc my chicks that hatched April 20th keep roosting in the nest box that my hens prefer. I’m shaking it out every day and replacing bedding before work. I feel bad that that might be what caused a reproductive infection.

The last time I had an EYP issue my hen passed. My vet prescribed Tylan which I don’t think is the best med. I got her switched to amoxicillin but at that point it was too late.

I will call and see about antibiotics tomorrow or Monday. I’m hoping they don’t make me come in with the chickens because I hate to stress them more. I was on such a good streak with chickens without a single issue since one passed in November. I’m so frustrated things always go downhill before I need to go out of town. Ugh. Mostly just ranting.

 

[nuthatched]

Reproductive infections aren't caused by nest box material.
Have you ever wormed them? What's their diet?
Is it hot where you are?

 

[Skibum]

All I have on hand is amoxicillin that has been refrigerated but the label says it expired end of July of 22 so I held off on giving that. It is mixed it does not seem to have separated but I’m just not sure that it isn’t better to wait.

 

[Skibum]

Reproductive infections aren't caused by nest box material.
Have you ever wormed them? What's their diet?
Is it hot where you are?

I live in NW Colorado so the average high temps right now are about 80 degrees.

They eat scratch and peck layer feed but have also been eating scratch and peck chick feed bc I have chicks that hatched late April from my flock. They also have access to oyster shells.

I added a chick electrolyte/ probiotic to the spare waterer (so they have access to regular and electrolytes) the other day when they quit laying think it could be the heat. They free range but not all day every day.

I have never wormed as my understanding is worms aren’t super likely given that I live in a cold and mostly dry environment. I have had fecals ran in the past (always negative) but have not had one run recently. My vet charges a pretty high amount (I think it was $75 last time!)

 

[nuthatched]

I live in NW Colorado so the average high temps right now are about 80 degrees.

They eat scratch and peck layer feed but have also been eating scratch and peck chick feed bc I have chicks that hatched late April from my flock. They also have access to oyster shells.

I added a chick electrolyte/ probiotic to the spare waterer (so they have access to regular and electrolytes) the other day when they quit laying think it could be the heat. They free range but not all day every day.

I have never wormed as my understanding is worms aren’t super likely given that I live in a cold and mostly dry environment. I have had fecals ran in the past (always negative) but have not had one run recently. My vet charges a pretty high amount (I think it was $75 last time!)

I live in a similar climate, though if they eat bugs and worms, they can have worms. You can do your own fecal of you're up for it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fecal-testing-for-poultry.78206/

 

[Skibum]

I live in a similar climate, though if they eat bugs and worms, they can have worms. You can do your own fecal of you're up for it.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/fecal-testing-for-poultry.78206/

Since the one hen that I’m most concerned with has a pulsing vent and layed down like she was nesting after her Epsom salt bath to no avail im leaning towards a reproductive disorder but I will keep this in mind.

 

[nuthatched]

Since the one hen that I’m most concerned with has a pulsing vent and layed down like she was nesting after her Epsom salt bath to no avail im leaning towards a reproductive disorder but I will keep this in mind.

Ees aren't especially inclined to reproductive issues, they're also young.
It's possible that there's a broken egg.

 

[Skibum]

Ees aren't especially inclined to reproductive issues, they're also young.
It's possible that there's a broken egg.

Right, which is why I’m worried about EYP. The one that is acting normal seems to have a swollen abdomen. The one that is acting off it could be just that she’s molting and over mated and just feeling blah but when I saw the yellowish poo it had me concerned that it was an egg issue. Would you try to get your hands on antibiotics to get ahead of it?

 

[nuthatched]

Right, which is why I’m worried about EYP. The one that is acting normal seems to have a swollen abdomen. The one that is acting off it could be just that she’s molting and over mated and just feeling blah but when I saw the yellowish poo it had me concerned that it was an egg issue. Would you try to get your hands on antibiotics to get ahead of it?

It's worth a shot if you feel comfortable with it.

 

[Skibum]

Update. I think frankie is just fat from eating too much chick feed. She may have water belly but it’s not overly squishy or firm and she’s still acting normal. I picked up oregano oil to add to water today bc it’s Sunday therefore no vet. Fae wasn’t acting terrible but still isolating and her butt was dirty again. She is eating some but not enough. She got another bath today and a crop massage but I don’t think it’s impacted.

I’m attaching a photo of the small poop I could find of hers that is the main cause of my concern. She is starting to molt as she’s the roosters favorite. The isolating could be because she’s sick of his shit but I do feel something bigger is wrong.

Both hens got calcium again in case it might help. I’ll keep doing electrolytes / probiotics in the spare water.

Me holding my sassy fat girl Frankie