Egg Yolk Peritonitis

[Jen2848]

I have a hen, Marigold a production RIR 2 years old, who has been laying very wrinkly and thin shelled eggs for the past several months. Then, I was finding what looked like egg yolk all over the nest and eggs. I started watching the girls more closely and isolated the one hen, Marigold, who I thought was acting different. I separated her from the flock and she hadn't laid any eggs and her abdomen was swollen. I took her to the vet and she found that her abdomen was swollen which was causing her some difficulty breathing. She did an ultrasound and found what appears to be an egg yolk stuck in her abdomen. The course of action is we will put her on Metacam twice a day for 2 weeks for the pain and swelling, and sulfatrimethoprim twice a day for three weeks as an antibiotic. The vet also gave her a hormone implant called Deslorelin to stop her body from producing eggs. The hormone implant will last about 6 months and then at that time we can put another implant in her if we feel she needs some more time to recover. Cross our fingers that this treatment works. Last year I had to euthanize one of my girls for the same issues. The other vet that I saw at that time didn't mention these options and so I feel that I missed an opportunity to save my other girl. I hope this helps anyone who is noticing the same symptoms in their flock. I will repost again after two weeks when Marigold goes to have her re-check at the vet.

 

[Jen2848]

Egg Yolk Peritonitis
by expert Elliott Simpson on January 15, 2015 category Backyard Poultry
Egg Yolk Peritonitis, sometimes referred to as Egg Peritonitis (or ‘EYP’ for short), is a common condition seen in backyard hens of all ages, from the point of lay onwards. It is an infection established within the coelomic cavity of hens, caused by the presence of an ectopic yolk within the coelom (main body cavity).

Egg yolk peritonitis is a common condition seen in backyard hens of all ages

It is important to distinguish egg yolk peritonitis from egg-binding in chickens, and this should be determined by your vet. The general condition of the hen, along with any evidence of an egg being stuck (sometimes in combination with x-rays) must be used to determine whether she has a simple obstruction, or is suffering from egg yolk peritonitis; as egg binding is relatively rare in backyard hens in comparison.

What causes Egg Yolk Peritonitis?
Once your hens reach point of lay, the left ovary (the right ovary is usually non-functional in most birds) will begin producing ‘ova’ (yolks). These are then passed to the infundibulum (oviduct) which, in normal egg production, will ‘catch’ the yolks, to begin transporting them through the rest of the reproductive tract until they are eventually expelled as fully-formed eggs.

However, in a bird suffering from Egg Yolk Peritonitis, the yolk is not caught by the infundibulum, but is instead released into the coelomic cavity. Here, it provides the perfect growth medium for bacterial growth, with E. coli being most commonly isolated from affected birds.

Once the infection has become established, the infection will infiltrate throughout the coelom and cause a widespread peritonitis.

How can I tell if my hen is suffering from Egg Yolk Peritonitis?

To catch egg yolk peritonitis early, you must be extremely vigilant of your laying flock

The issue with hens, as an example across all birds, is that generally speaking most are prey species, and as such will do their utmost to disguise and hide any indication that they are feeling unwell. They are therefore a) less likely to appear tempting to a predator and b) are far less likely to get isolated and bullied by the rest of the flock. This sadly means that generally by the time a chicken is looking overtly ‘ill’ she is most probably very close to death. Therefore, vigilance must be paramount when inspecting your birds, which should be done at least on a daily basis.

These are some of the important signs that should be used to indicate that your chicken is possibly feeling unwell, and should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible:

• Pale comb/wattle
• Eyes are dull, may be partially/fully closed
• She’s not as keen as the rest to eat and drink
• May be keeping herself away from the rest of the flock, usually tucked up in a nest-box/coop
• Tail may be lowered
• Difficulty/reluctance to move about
• Reluctant to walk around and scratch; lack of interest in surroundings
• Any evidence of discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
• Going off lay
• Loss of condition – can be assessed by feeling over the keel (breast) bone muscle mass: in chronically ill birds they often lose the majority of this muscle mass
• Faecal matter stuck around vent
• Look in poor feather condition (not preening)
• Any obvious injury (wound, limping, falling over)

Two healthy young Silver Sebright pullets; a breed less susceptible to egg yolk peritonitis due to having a reduced rate of egg laying compared to hybrid hens

Although the signs listed above will provide a good indicator as to whether your bird may be sick, some or all of the above may be displayed by a hen suffering Egg Yolk Peritonitis. As such, any ill bird that has gone off lay, potentially lost muscle mass over her keel, or is looking in general in poor condition should be checked by a veterinary surgeon. Hens with Egg Yolk Peritonitis, in combination with the signs mentioned above, will usually have a swollen abdomen. This is due to the infection within the coelom causing fibrin deposition and fluid accumulation, and it is usually this that is the give-away sign that you have a bird that is in the more advanced stages of Egg Yolk Peritonitis.

How is Egg Yolk Peritonitis diagnosed?
Fluid may be drawn out of the coelom by a veterinary surgeon in order to assess the sample for evidence of Egg Yolk Peritonitis. X-rays may also be required in order to rule out egg-binding. In larger commercial flocks, or where a bird is found dead, Egg Yolk Peritonitis may be diagnosed by your vet performing a post mortem.

Can Egg Yolk Peritonitis be treated?
Sadly treatment for Egg Yolk Peritonitis is rarely successful, and the majority of birds are too sick by the time they are seen by a vet.

The best chance of successfully treating egg yolk peritonitis is to catch the disease early, and this can only be achieved by being extremely vigilant of your laying flock.
The earlier a case of Egg Yolk Peritonitis is diagnosed, the better the probable outcome. If a bird is to be treated, antibiotics and good, attentive nursing care are essential.

 

[Kelly Dian]

One of my Buff Orpingtons layed a soft shell egg last p.m. She seems fine at the moment. I can’t tell if yolk came out. Please advise!

 

[Jen2848]

One of my Buff Orpingtons layed a soft shell egg last p.m. She seems fine at the moment. I can’t tell if yolk came out. Please advise!

Make sure she is eating, drinking and pooping normally. Separate her from the others so you can monitor her. Give her free choice access to crushed oyster shell along with her layer mash. Make sure she has access to sunshine because that helps the hens absorb the calcium. If it continues take her to the vet sooner than later. I hope this helps.
https://www.fresheggsdaily.com/2014/04/soft-shelled-or-rubber-eggs-causes-and.html

 

[Kelly Dian]

She free ranges. Eating and drinking very well. She is acting like her normal self. Do I just wait and see what happens? They get ACV every 3 days and rooster booster with electrolytes, vitamins, and acidophilus once a week or if it’s very hot. She has access to fresh water which she was just drinking. It’s the one on the right in the pic.

 

[Kelly Dian]

They get calcium grit also.

 

[Jen2848]

She free ranges. Eating and drinking very well. She is acting like her normal self. Do I just wait and see what happens? They get ACV every 3 days and rooster booster with electrolytes, vitamins, and acidophilus once a week or if it’s very hot. She has access to fresh water which she was just drinking. It’s the one on the right in the pic.

She's beautiful! I would separate her from the flock and watch her closely. If she's with the flock she'll try and hide any symptoms she may be having. Keep her separate and wait until she lays an egg again. Maybe still contact a local vet just in case.

 

[Kelly Dian]

Thank you so much for your advice. She’s acting normal. Roaming my 5 acres right now. There is absolutely no evidence that she feels bad. I know which eggs she lays.

 

[Jen2848]

Thank you so much for your advice. She’s acting normal. Roaming my 5 acres right now. There is absolutely no evidence that she feels bad. I know which eggs she lays.

That's so great to hear! Lucky girls have the equivalent of a sprawling mansion with 5 acres to roam! LOL

 

[Kelly Dian]

That's so great to hear! Lucky girls have the equivalent of a sprawling mansion with 5 acres to roam! LOL

Today she is laying around more than usual. It’s already 80 degrees. She is in the coop where it is cool. I noticed the red on her face around here eyes gets a little pale as she dozes off. When she gets up it is normal. They both layed. She layed another rubber shell egg.