Egg Yolk Peritonitis

[TNchickenmama]

Hi ya'll!

I'm BRAND NEW to BYC, so please forgive me if I don't know a lot of the common terms pertaining to chickens!

I have a RIR that I've had longer than any other hen - "Henny Penny". (She's survived longer than any other - coons, dogs, etc.)! After reading a lot of the threads on here and scouring the web regarding her symptoms, I strongly believe she is suffering from EYP.

I also have 4 BR hens and 1 a$$hole BR roo. Honestly, I don't know which hens lay which eggs or how often said hens are laying. About 5 days ago I found an egg shell that looked like a deflated balloon in the nesting box. Then a couple of days later I noticed that Henny was acting lethargic. When all the others when to bed, I couldn't find her. To my surprise, the next morning she was in the coop with the others. Yay!! The next night, again, I couldn't find her. She had nestled herself in the back of an old dog igloo in some cedar shavings. So, I got her out and put her up in the hen house with the others. The next morning, the lethargy with still present and her "butt feathers" were matted with pale yellow poop and her comb was laid over instead of standing up. Currently her symptoms are: lethargy (literally sleeping standing up, getting pushed over by other hens and the roo), droopy comb, trouble getting back up after being knocked over, lack of appetite, weight loss, matted/dirty butt. The last I checked her "egg hole?" it was not swollen, red or anything other than normal looking.

Since I am a novice and these are truly backyard chickens, not pets (except Henny), AND I lack the tools/knowledge/medicine that farmers have - not to mention the money to spend on a vet bill and meds - I need to know what I can do, if anything, for Henny. My husband is urging me to put her down, but I really don't want to. However, I don't want her to suffer.

*Note* I did find a thread mentioning DURAMYCIN-10 as a remedy. My local Tractor Supply or Rural Kind does not sell it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Even if it is to put her down.

Thanks!

 

[FoodFreedomNow]

Hi ya'll!

I'm BRAND NEW to BYC, so please forgive me if I don't know a lot of the common terms pertaining to chickens!

I have a RIR that I've had longer than any other hen - "Henny Penny". (She's survived longer than any other - coons, dogs, etc.)! After reading a lot of the threads on here and scouring the web regarding her symptoms, I strongly believe she is suffering from EYP.

I also have 4 BR hens and 1 a$$hole BR roo. Honestly, I don't know which hens lay which eggs or how often said hens are laying. About 5 days ago I found an egg shell that looked like a deflated balloon in the nesting box. Then a couple of days later I noticed that Henny was acting lethargic. When all the others when to bed, I couldn't find her. To my surprise, the next morning she was in the coop with the others. Yay!! The next night, again, I couldn't find her. She had nestled herself in the back of an old dog igloo in some cedar shavings. So, I got her out and put her up in the hen house with the others. The next morning, the lethargy with still present and her "butt feathers" were matted with pale yellow poop and her comb was laid over instead of standing up. Currently her symptoms are: lethargy (literally sleeping standing up, getting pushed over by other hens and the roo), droopy comb, trouble getting back up after being knocked over, lack of appetite, weight loss, matted/dirty butt. The last I checked her "egg hole?" it was not swollen, red or anything other than normal looking.

Since I am a novice and these are truly backyard chickens, not pets (except Henny), AND I lack the tools/knowledge/medicine that farmers have - not to mention the money to spend on a vet bill and meds - I need to know what I can do, if anything, for Henny. My husband is urging me to put her down, but I really don't want to. However, I don't want her to suffer.

*Note* I did find a thread mentioning DURAMYCIN-10 as a remedy. My local Tractor Supply or Rural Kind does not sell it.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Even if it is to put her down.

Thanks!

I'm sorry to hear that your hen isn't well...I also had a (hatchery) RIR hen with EYP, and I ultimately had to euthanize her to end her suffering. She was a nice bird and a great layer of beautiful eggs.

Anecdotally, I suspect that @speckledhen 's theory (quoting @Bogtown Chick from this thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/847986/egg-yolk-peritonitis-20-month-old-rhode-island-red) may be correct - from what I've seen, RIRs seem susceptible to it: "I've read a lot of speckled hen's posts on this. Her theory is this Hatchery RIR of mine was bred to lay-lay-lay which distends or loosens the cloaca which then can get fecal matter backed up in to the oviduct and creates infection/scarring. Genetic issue with Hatchery birds."

There are a number of threads addressing EYP, like this one: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-4x-for-egg-yolk-peritonitis-heres-what-i-did.

I'm pretty sure Duramycin-10 is no longer available OTC and requires a veterinarian's rx (changed as of the first of the year: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/dont_wait_be_ready_new_antibiotic_rules_for_2017).

Best of luck to you and your hen.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under TNchickenmama

Welcome!

I am sorry to hear about your hen

As you have already received some great advice from FoodFreedomNow, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice and links already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[drumstick diva]