Egg laying post severe prolapsed vent

[Emak2323]

So I did some searching before posting this, but didn't get quite the result I was looking for. I have a buff orp who had a severe prolapse at the beginning of November. It took 13 days for the prolapse to return inside, and she was kept inside for about a month. She began squatting again in late January and I saw her laying in the nest box on 2/1, but no egg. I noticed her again around the nesting boxes on 2/3, but I'm nearly positive she still hasn't laid any eggs. It's now 2/6, and though she's not waddling or acting lethargic, I'm a bit concerned that she's egg bound. I gave her an epsom salt soak yesterday for 20 minutes, but she hates it and I'm not sure if it's worth it to do. Does anyone has any advice or any experience with chicks laying post severe prolapse?

Thank you in advance

 

[azygous]

Prolapse is often an artifact of a reproductive tract crisis, and it depends on what triggered that crisis and how it resolved as to how it might affect her future egg laying.

If the crisis involved an egg collapsing inside the hen, and if infection resulted and if the infection was countered by an oral antibiotic, then there's a reasonable hope for the hen to continue her egg laying career.

If, on the other hand, infection occurred but was never treated, then she could now have a chronic reproductive tract infection and it can be making her sterile. It can also have triggered internal egg laying where infection is now causing her yolks to be released into her abdominal cavity instead. This would cause her to feel the occasional urge to sit in a nest and try to expel an egg, even though there are no longer eggs coming down the tract as before.

You and I cannot make this diagnosis, however. Only a vet can do this with the assistance of an X-ray. But this may not be what's happening, though it's a possibility.

If she continues to behave as though she's trying to lay an egg, you can give her a calcium supplement and provide moist heat for her to lie on. If there is a stuck egg, this procedure often produces results.

The calcium is one tablet per day of an ordinary people calcium supplement such as calcium citrate found in the vitamin section of the store. The moist heat is best supplied by placing a heating pad on medium setting in a crate where the hen has room to stand up. Then a moist thick bath towel soaked in warm water then rung out thoroughly in the washer spin cycle is laid over the heating pad. The hen is installed on this warm damp towel with plenty of water to drink, then left in peace and quiet to see what evolves.

 

[Emak2323]

Thank you so much! The egg was her first egg - it was stuck half way out and the prolapse of the vent was severe enough to take 13 days to retract. She was treated with anti-inflams. anti-biotics, warm epsom salt baths and taken to the vet several times. They couldn't say what caused the prolapse. I have 8 other chicks who have all been fine and I've heard that it can be more common in Buff Orpingtons. I don't feel hopeful since it was her only egg and now she appears to be having issues again, but I will try this heating pad with moist towel suggestion. I appreciate the detailed advice very much!!

 

[azygous]

That's encouraging news that infection during that crisis was controlled. She has that going for her. Do give her the calcium supplement, though. It will strengthen her contractions and help her get the egg out. A Tums will work okay for this time if you don't have a calcium supplement. But to pick up a bottle. It's a life saver in every laying crisis.