Egg yolk peritonitis

[bigz1983]

We have a 15 month old Buff Orpington hen that started laying shell less eggs about 2-3 months ago.

We separated her from the main flock about 4 weeks ago and put extra calcium in her food/water(crushed calcium tablets).

She stopped laying completely while being separated. No signs of shell less eggs or anything.

Then we put her back in with the main flock about 2 weeks ago.

After we put her back with main flock she started laying yolk/egg white. Running around with yolk/egg white running out her vent.

So we have separated her again.

Were not sure what to do. We have had hens get egg yolk peritonitis in the past. They were old so I just put them down. But this hen is young and I want to save her.

We put a antibiotic in her water to help stop infection.

What's the best way to get more calcium in her?

Will she ever lay eggs again? I heard that hens that survive egg peritonitis don't lay eggs again.

 

[Eggcessive]

I usually try to keep a sick hen with her flock so they can keep up a normal routine, unless they are being pecked or bullied. Even if separation is necessary, a wire dog crate with food and water inside the coop is good.

What antibiotic and dosage are you using? Baytril (enrofloxacin) is good for treating egg yolk peritonitis, since E.coli, mycoplasma, or other bacteria may be present. It is banned in chickens, but many vets use it for things that amoxicillin and tetracycline will not treat. Dosage of 10% baytril liquid sold here is 0.05 ml (1/4 ml or 0.25 ml for a 5 pound hen) orally for 5-6 days:
https://www.jedds.com/shop/misc/
Irecently bought 100 ml of this for $23 plus 8$ shipping.

There is no cure for reproductive disorders—salpingitis, internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, but antibiotics may help temporarily or prolong life. Ascites or water belly can also occur with EYP. In my experience they may stop laying eggs, but that can be better than when some continue to experience feeling bad when they lay shell-less eggs. It helps when I lose one to do a necropsy to look at what was going on inside the abdomen.

 

[bigz1983]

I put one tablespoon of this durvet sulmadaithoxine powder solution in a 1 gallon poultry fount drinker for her.
It says it's a antibacterial on the packet.
She is in my small "hospital chicken coop" alone.
I heard I could give her a calcuim shot to help jump start her shell maker.
Why could I get a injectable calcuim shot?

 

[Eggcessive]

Rather than give a calcium shot, calcium is usually given in tablet form orally in a human calcium tablet, Tums, or a finely crushed egg shell mixed into some cooked egg. They get so much from layer feed and providing crushed oyster shell in a separate container.

The sulfa antibiotic may help with E.coli bacteria, and it can help with some intestinal infections (coccidiosis) and respiratory infections (coryza.)

Sometimes if a hen has had a respiratory infection (bronchitis) it can affect their shell gland in the oviduct, causing them to lay shell—less, odd looking, or thin shelled eggs. I had one injured by a dog once, and she never laid an egg with a shell again. So time will tell if she lays nirmally again or not.

 

[bigz1983]

Rather than give a calcium shot, calcium is usually given in tablet form orally in a human calcium tablet, Tums, or a finely crushed egg shell mixed into some cooked egg. They get so much from layer feed and providing crushed oyster shell in a separate container.

The sulfa antibiotic may help with E.coli bacteria, and it can help with some intestinal infections (coccidiosis) and respiratory infections (coryza.)

Sometimes if a hen has had a respiratory infection (bronchitis) it can affect their shell gland in the oviduct, causing them to lay shell—less, odd looking, or thin shelled eggs. I had one injured by a dog once, and she never laid an egg with a shell again. So time will tell if she lays nirmally again or not.

We put a crushed calcium pill in her water.
She is on layer feed.
So a calcuim shot probably isn't necessary?

 

[Eggcessive]

No, the calcium can be absorbed orally. It may settle out in water, so I would crush a tablet between 2 spoons, and toss it into a bit of egg or another snack.

 

[bigz1983]

No, the calcium can be absorbed orally. It may settle out in water, so I would crush a tablet between 2 spoons, and toss it into a bit of egg or another snack.

Ok I used a small hammer to crush it on a paper plate.
I will try it in a snack next time.
I really hope my wife and I can save her.
She's a big buff orpington and she's young.
I guess we need to keep trying.
Thanks for the advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

They are great looking hens. I hope you can save her as well. I lost a buff orpington to a laying problem around 2 1/2 years.

 

[LozzyR]

Hi @bigz1983 , did you have any luck with your Buff Orpington? I noticed this thread was in June this year. I think one of my Isa Browns has egg peritonitis (and I've already lost one of my hens to it), I'm just looking to see if anyone has any suggestions. I've got her on antibiotics but I'm just looking to see if I can supplement with anything else.

 

[bigz1983]

Hi @bigz1983 , did you have any luck with your Buff Orpington? I noticed this thread was in June this year. I think one of my Isa Browns has egg peritonitis (and I've already lost one of my hens to it), I'm just looking to see if anyone has any suggestions. I've got her on antibiotics but I'm just looking to see if I can supplement with anything else.

She pulled through it and seems to be doing fine but she is in winter molt/off for winter.
I'm worried that she might have problems in the spring when her egg maker kicks back in.
I fill found out in the spring.