Hen that lays massive eggs acts slowish

[EricEdwards]

Hi,

I have a hen that I think lays massive double yolkers every few days and has been acting sluggish. Her crop feels fine, not symptoms in eyes. Vaccinated for Mareaks and the thing with the C that I always forget, and is about 2 years old. She closes her eyes sometimes in the sun, goes in and out for water. But isn’t the fastest and most moving around bird. Is this because of the HUGE eggs she’s laying? Doesn’t seem to have any other symptoms and acts normal: roosts, lays in boxes as far as I know, etc.

Thanks!

Here’s a pic of her average egg:

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Hi,

I have a hen that I think lays massive double yolkers every few days and has been acting sluggish. Her crop feels fine, not symptoms in eyes. Vaccinated for Mareaks and the thing with the C that I always forget, and is about 2 years old. She closes her eyes sometimes in the sun, goes in and out for water. But isn’t the fastest and most moving around bird. Is this because of the HUGE eggs she’s laying? Doesn’t seem to have any other symptoms and acts normal: roosts, lays in boxes as far as I know, etc.

Thanks!

Here’s a pic of her average egg:

Is she fat? I wouldn't think it would be the eggs.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi,

I have a hen that I think lays massive double yolkers every few days and has been acting sluggish. Her crop feels fine, not symptoms in eyes. Vaccinated for Mareaks and the thing with the C that I always forget, and is about 2 years old. She closes her eyes sometimes in the sun, goes in and out for water. But isn’t the fastest and most moving around bird. Is this because of the HUGE eggs she’s laying? Doesn’t seem to have any other symptoms and acts normal: roosts, lays in boxes as far as I know, etc.

Thanks!
Here’s a pic of her average egg:

What type of food/treats do you feed - is your hen overweight?
What breed is she?
Do you have photos of the hen?

Hens that I have had that laid double yolkers consistently always acted like any other hen.
I would say you need to check her over really well. You mention the crop is fine - when are you checking it? Check it first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks - it should be empty. Get a fecal float to rule out worms and Coccidiosis overload. Look her over for lice/mites and feel the abdomen for bloat/swelling and fluid.

All that said, some hens are not quite as active as others, they like to lounge in the sun - if you find nothing wrong (lice/mites/worms/crop problem) and she is eating/drinking/pooping/laying eggs and she seems normal, then just observe her for anything unusual.

A visit to the vet may also give you some answers.

 

[EricEdwards]

What type of food/treats do you feed - is your hen overweight?
What breed is she?
Do you have photos of the hen?

Hens that I have had that laid double yolkers consistently always acted like any other hen.
I would say you need to check her over really well. You mention the crop is fine - when are you checking it? Check it first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks - it should be empty. Get a fecal float to rule out worms and Coccidiosis overload. Look her over for lice/mites and feel the abdomen for bloat/swelling and fluid.

All that said, some hens are not quite as active as others, they like to lounge in the sun - if you find nothing wrong (lice/mites/worms/crop problem) and she is eating/drinking/pooping/laying eggs and she seems normal, then just observe her for anything unusual.

A visit to the vet may also give you some answers.

She is the speckled Sussex in the two photos below. She seems to be well except she’s not as active and closes her eyes so times. She’s vaccinated for Coccidiosis and no blood in poop. A little bit of diarrhea but that’s normal for her. No lice or mites. Crop check was just after noon. Didn’t feel to full though. They get Blue seal pellet food and corn, mealworms, or bread every few days for treats.

 

[EricEdwards]

Is she fat? I wouldn't think it would be the eggs.

Check my other reply for more info.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is the speckled Sussex in the two photos below. She seems to be well except she’s not as active and closes her eyes so times. She’s vaccinated for Coccidiosis and no blood in poop. A little bit of diarrhea but that’s normal for her. No lice or mites. Crop check was just after noon. Didn’t feel to full though. They get Blue seal pellet food and corn, mealworms, or bread every few days for treats.

I understand she was vaccinated 2 yrs ago as a chick. Chickens can have an overload if there is an underlying condition or illness, there are 9 strains of Coccidia. Coccidiosis presents in many different ways. 2 strains, iirc, only show up as blood in the stool, you won't always see blood, and no, you won't always see worms.
Chickens can become sick with the Marek's virus even if they were vaccinated.
Now, can you get a fecal float for worms and Coccidiosis?

Check the crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks to make sure it's empty - this is the only way you can properly gauge if the crop is functioning correctly.
Checking in the middle of the day tells you that she has food in there....has it emptied overnight.

If she seems to be well, but a little slower, then that may be just the way she is. If you don't feel there is anything really wrong with her, go into "wait and see" mode.

 

[Eggcessive]

Those double yolkers are good to have, but I always worry about the hens possibly becoming damaged or getting egg bound. I would just keep an eye on her in case she seems to have a hard time laying or acting very sick. She may just be an easy going hen.

 

[Shadrach]

I would keep a very close eye on her. While double yolks are seen as great by some, hens that consistently lay over-sized eggs and double yolkers may be more prone to reproductive disorders. A brief bit of research on reproductive disorders on a veterinary site will inform you that these abnormalities may make your hen particularly prone to prolapsed vent and other reproductive problems.

 

[EricEdwards]

I understand she was vaccinated 2 yrs ago as a chick. Chickens can have an overload if there is an underlying condition or illness, there are 9 strains of Coccidia. Coccidiosis presents in many different ways. 2 strains, iirc, only show up as blood in the stool, you won't always see blood, and no, you won't always see worms.
Chickens can become sick with the Marek's virus even if they were vaccinated.
Now, can you get a fecal float for worms and Coccidiosis?

Check the crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks to make sure it's empty - this is the only way you can properly gauge if the crop is functioning correctly.
Checking in the middle of the day tells you that she has food in there....has it emptied overnight.

If she seems to be well, but a little slower, then that may be just the way she is. If you don't feel there is anything really wrong with her, go into "wait and see" mode.

Seems to be a calm bird, possibly some issues with the reproductive system since she lays such big eggs. I’ve done a lot of reasearch on Mareaks and she doesn’t have any symptoms, other than being a little sluggish, and is over 10 months when 99% of birds would get it (+she’s vaccinated). And no other birds seem to having this right now, although we lost a few 2 or 3 months ago to something.

 

[EricEdwards]

I understand she was vaccinated 2 yrs ago as a chick. Chickens can have an overload if there is an underlying condition or illness, there are 9 strains of Coccidia. Coccidiosis presents in many different ways. 2 strains, iirc, only show up as blood in the stool, you won't always see blood, and no, you won't always see worms.
Chickens can become sick with the Marek's virus even if they were vaccinated.
Now, can you get a fecal float for worms and Coccidiosis?

Check the crop first thing in the morning before she eats/drinks to make sure it's empty - this is the only way you can properly gauge if the crop is functioning correctly.
Checking in the middle of the day tells you that she has food in there....has it emptied overnight.

If she seems to be well, but a little slower, then that may be just the way she is. If you don't feel there is anything really wrong with her, go into "wait and see" mode.

It also can’t be Coccidiosis because it’s below freezing here. Coccidiosis Needs warm and humid areas to thrive and infect birds.