Help

[Luckynumberseven]

my buff Orpington went to bed then came out a few minutes later walking kinda funny. She went to the spot where they lay eggs and passed what looks like “the whites” of an egg. No shell no yolk. It’s 6:30 pm. She then went to bed. What should I do ?

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under Luckynumberseven Welcome!

I see that you have been a member for a while but this is your first post; I am sorry that the circumstances behind it are not the best but I am also certain that your girl can make a full recovery.

So, it sounds like she has laid a soft shelled or shell-less egg. She most likely did this at bed time because that was when she was relaxed and that actually helps them to lay soft shells.

If you can imagine, their muscles are able to grip the harder shell and push the egg down the duct whereas a soft shell flexes when they grip and makes it harder for them to push it out. Once relaxing on the roost, it seems to move through the duct easier. I have a bantam Langshan who lays the occasional soft shell during her hard moult and always when on the roost after spending a while trying to push it out, straining etc.

Anyways, what you need to check for, is no residual soft shell protruding from the vent as this can cause issues but again, as in Dusty’s case, she may pass the remainder overnight while relaxed. Then, keep an eye out for any signs of an infection from any egg material remaining in the duct.

Does she have access to oyster shell or calcium?

You may find this article helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/soft-shells-and-other-egg-problems-causes-and-cures.65520/

Best wishes and please let us know how she goes?

 

[Luckynumberseven]

G’Day from down under Luckynumberseven Welcome!

I see that you have been a member for a while but this is your first post; I am sorry that the circumstances behind it are not the best but I am also certain that your girl can make a full recovery.

So, it sounds like she has laid a soft shelled or shell-less egg. She most likely did this at bed time because that was when she was relaxed and that actually helps them to lay soft shells.

If you can imagine, their muscles are able to grip the harder shell and push the egg down the duct whereas a soft shell flexes when they grip and makes it harder for them to push it out. Once relaxing on the roost, it seems to move through the duct easier. I have a bantam Langshan who lays the occasional soft shell during her hard moult and always when on the roost after spending a while trying to push it out, straining etc.

Anyways, what you need to check for, is no residual soft shell protruding from the vent as this can cause issues but again, as in Dusty’s case, she may pass the remainder overnight while relaxed. Then, keep an eye out for any signs of an infection from any egg material remaining in the duct.

Does she have access to oyster shell or calcium?

You may find this article helpful:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/soft-shells-and-other-egg-problems-causes-and-cures.65520/

Best wishes and please let us know how she goes?

Thank you for your response. I’m feeling really frantic right now. She is my favorite yellow girl and the sweetest. I lost a Wyandotte a few months ago and things kinda started the same way with her. I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to help her as there isn’t a avian vet in my area. I will keep you updated on her. She had clear goo coming from her back end when she went to bed. I was wondering if I should bring her in and bath her and cage her for the night? Or wait to see what happens tomorrow? I’m so worried.

 

[Luckynumberseven]

Yes I forgot to answer your question about calcium. I give them oyster shell regularly.

 

[Embuck]

Welcome to BYC, and best wishes!
I've never really had issues with shell-less eggs, so I can't really offer any advice, sorry.
Best wishes and good luck!

 

[Teila]

Thank you for your response. I’m feeling really frantic right now. She is my favorite yellow girl and the sweetest. I lost a Wyandotte a few months ago and things kinda started the same way with her. I want to make sure I’m doing everything I can to help her as there isn’t a avian vet in my area. I will keep you updated on her. She had clear goo coming from her back end when she went to bed. I was wondering if I should bring her in and bath her and cage her for the night? Or wait to see what happens tomorrow? I’m so worried.

Besides what I have mentioned with Dusty who does lay an occasional soft shell and has no residual issues, I too do not really have experience with soft shells so I have kinda come to the end of my knowledge on the subject.

I was hoping that someone else would come along and may be have more to offer but not so much yet

If you search ‘soft shell’ in the Forum you should find lots of good advice from previous posts as this does happen often in the chicken world.

 

[Luckynumberseven]

Thank you both for your response. I brought her in and bathed her back end. She wasn’t thrilled about it. Now have her in the house inside a dog crate. She seems ok other then not comfortable being in the Crate. One thing I have noticed lately is her poop has gotten a lot smaller. I don’t know if it is related. Thank you for now. We will wait for sun up for any changes.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC - thanks for joining us. You have some great advice and links from Teila. Here's another link, but I doubt that it will shed any more light on things.

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems

Personally, I'd simply wait and see what her next eggs look like, before being overly concerned.

 

[drumstick diva]

Hope your hen will be okay. No experience with soft shell eggs, etc.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us