egg drop syndrome

[cherisgagnon]

Hi all. I'm new to BYC. I have a 3 year old brown egg white layer who clearly has egg drop syndrome - all the symptoms. I realize it's rare in the US, but I have no doubt. I have a new batch of chicks coming on. Do I need to get rid of the infected hen? Thanks for your help and wisdom!

 

[Judy]

Below is a link to the Merck article. It sas a definitive diagnosis cannot be made except by lab testing.
Sontrol measures, etc. are also discussed.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou...overview_of_egg_drop_syndrome_in_poultry.html

 

[ksmama97]

I'm seeing the same thing in a few of my hens. It started with one and now I have possibly three more hens doing it. They fit the description of Egg Drop Syndrome perfectly.

 

[Michael Apple]

Before you diagnose it as egg drop syndrome, realize that hens not receiving enough of certain minerals and vitamins can exhibit the same behavior. I've seen it myself, watched them overcome it, and continue to lay perfect quality eggs. A hen not only uses approximately 7 grams of calcium to produce an egg, calcium also assists proper nerve and muscle function. Not enough vitamin D3 means not enough absorption of calcium. Magnesium also plays a role as do amino acids like lysine and methionine. Pre-moult and moult times are important to supplement also. Calciboost is a good supplement as are some moult supplements: http://www.justbirdstuff.com/Calciboost-Liquid-Calcium-Supplement-p-16147.html

 

[ksmama97]

I've been doing lots to improve the calcium intake and also how well they absorb it. I haven't tried anything for Vit D yet. They are outside all day long, so hadn't thought of it. I had one hen with this. She even got a shell stuck in her and I had to help her get it out. All of the other's had very strong shells. I was told that I couldn't fix it and so we culled her so she wouldn't get an infection.
Now the others are having trouble one by one. Soon after we lost the first, another had trouble. Now two more. It seems to be spreading. They have strong egg shells and then go down hill with it.
Last night I saw my hen, sitting on the roost, expel just egg white and then shortly after that, a very soft, torn egg shell and yolk.