Hen sick and laid strange egg - help!

[heartygirl]

Hi everyone, thanks in advance for any assistance you can give me.

Our head hen Hearty was acting lethargic this morning - puffed up, not interested in food and slow walking. She then laid this egg - it was normal except for the growth around and on top of it (it’s yellowy white and I couldn’t notice any strong odor). Her poops are watery white and foamy. She also feels warm to the touch around her face.

We are trying to find a vet to see her, but can I please get any help about what this could be and how to help her?

Thank you

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It looks like a normal egg with a coating around it - maybe lash material, but maybe not. Sometimes when they are laying a weird egg or a soft shelled egg, they will act differently. Standing weirdly and staring is normal when there is a weird egg coming down the pipeline.

Chickens actually do feel warm compared to us because they are at 105°.

How old is she and how is she acting since laying the egg?

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like an egg covered in a membrane. It could be a one time glitch in her reproductive apparatus, or a sign that something is wrong. I would offer her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D or a tums. Here is a good thread about this sort of thing:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fully-formed-egg-covered-with-membrane.1446880/

And another thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/egg-with-membrane-outside.1346315/

 

[heartygirl]

It looks like a normal egg with a coating around it - maybe lash material, but maybe not. Sometimes when they are laying a weird egg or a soft shelled egg, they will act differently. Standing weirdly and staring is normal when there is a weird egg coming down the pipeline.

Chickens actually do feel warm compared to us because they are at 105°.

How old is she and how is she acting since laying the egg?

Thank you!

She is a rescue that my old housemate brought home, so unsure of her age or breed.

She seems to have more energy since laying, although still not eating.

 

[heartygirl]

That looks like an egg covered in a membrane. It could be a one time glitch in her reproductive apparatus, or a sign that something is wrong. I would offer her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D or a tums. Here is a good thread about this sort of thing:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fully-formed-egg-covered-with-membrane.1446880/

And another thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/egg-with-membrane-outside.1346315/

Thank you so much for your help and those threads.

I agree, I think it was just membrane and something has gone funky internally for her.

We will treat with calcium & keep a close eye on her.

 

[Eggcessive]

It isn’t lash material, just an extra membrane over an already formed egg.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

It isn’t lash material, just an extra membrane over an already formed egg.

That's good to know. It was the only thing I could think of - that's why I said "maybe not". It's amazing how many things we never come across in all the years of raising poultry. Now, the next time (or when it happens to me), I will know.

 

[heartygirl]

That's good to know. It was the only thing I could think of - that's why I said "maybe not". It's amazing how many things we never come across in all the years of raising poultry. Now, the next time (or when it happens to me), I will know.

Lash egg was our first thought too, so I’ve learnt something new as well!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Lash egg was our first thought too, so I’ve learnt something new as well!

Always something new with chickens.

 

[heartygirl]

Always something new with chickens.

Honestly we only just finished treating them for red mites & then this happened, I could have cried! Hoping for the best though.