Egg yolk peritonitis

[RocketDog1]

I keep a small flock- 5 birds. Last November I lost one of my barred rocks. I believe the culprit was peritonitis since her symptoms were exactly in line with the symptoms I’ve read about. Now my second barred rock is suffering from the same issue and appears to be on her way out. I’m wondering if there is something I’m doing wrong or if this is just par for the coarse. My chickens have a fairly large run (400 sq. ft.) and I keep their coop clean. I feed them Purina Layena and a layer mash. Their waterer is cleaned every 3 or 4 days.
Is there anything else I can do to prevent this problem? I don’t want to keep replacing my hens if there is something I’m doing wrong to cause the problem.

 

[Sequel]

Hi! I'm so sorry your hen is not feeling well. What are the symptoms this hen is showing? Also do you offer oyster shell? I'm sure someone with more experience can be more help, I will tag some, @azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @Texas Kiki are a few really awesome people.

 

[RocketDog1]

Yes, they do get oyster shells from both the Layena feed and the layer mash.
The symptoms in both hens were identical: lowered tail, lacking energy, standing upright like a penguin, and eventually a waddling walk. Both girls were prolific layers prior to the illness.

 

[Sequel]

Yes, they do get oyster shells from both the Layena feed and the layer mash.
The symptoms in both hens were identical: lowered tail, lacking energy, standing upright like a penguin, and eventually a waddling walk. Both girls were prolific layers prior to the illness.

Well there is most likely a reproductive issue going on, first you can rule out the hen being egg bound. You can check by inserting a gloved lubed finger 1" into her vent and see if there is an egg stuck. When was the last time she layed one? I would put a link for you but I'm on a 2006 imac with an obsolete browser and can't do much. Look for egg bound hen and internal laying. That should give you some information and in the meantime I hope someone with more experience will chime in. Best of luck to you and your hen! @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive @Texas Kiki

 

[RocketDog1]

I have checked her for being egg-bound and that doesn’t seem to be the problem. I’m fairly certain it has something to do with peritonitis and internal laying, but I’m not positive. I’m concerned because two birds have been affected by the same problem in the last 6 months.

 

[RocketDog1]

She stopped laying about 5 months ago. I chalked it up to the onset of winter but it appears I was wrong.

 

[Eggcessive]

Reproductive problems are common in good layers after they are a dew years old. It is not contagious, but they may have common symptoms. Many of us do a necropsy after losing a hen to suspected reproductive problems such as internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, cancer or ascites. It helps to see what has been going on, and then we may recognize signs earlier. Antibiotics might be of help early on, and might prolong life, but when symptoms show up it can be too late. Here are a few articles that might help:
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/internal-layer

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/salpingitis

 

[Kiki]

I am sorry your girl isn't feeling well.
Sometimes things like this just happened no matter how well we take care of them.

Do you happen to feed a lot of treats?

 

[RocketDog1]

Reproductive problems are common in good layers after they are a dew years old. It is not contagious, but they may have common symptoms. Many of us do a necropsy after losing a hen to suspected reproductive problems such as internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, cancer or ascites. It helps to see what has been going on, and then we may recognize signs earlier. Antibiotics might be of help early on, and might prolong life, but when symptoms show up it can be too late. Here are a few articles that might help:
http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/internal-layer

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/salpingitis

 

[RocketDog1]

Thank you, Eggcessive. Both of these hens were very good layers before the illness hit them. I wish I had been more proactive when the laying suddenly stopped.