Hen with egg membrane hanging out of vent

[Penguingirl216]

Hello,
I came home to find one of my hens (a little over year old - not sure of breed, maybe plymouth rock) not leaving the nesting box. I disturbed her and she left the nesting box and was drinking water but not taking treats. I picked her up and noticed that what looks like the membrane of an egg was hanging out of her vent. I proceeded to soak her in an epsom salt bath and have now placed her in a place away from the other hens and with a heater and her own water and food. I did lightly pull and remove some of the membrane - not sure if that was bad idea and it doesn't seem like I got the whole thing (broke off). She is still drinking water and I did see her poop. Not eating though.

I have called the vet to see if I can get her in in the morning (left a message) but want to know if there's any more to do for her tonight? And, how often do I soak her while I'm trying to get her to pass whatever all is stuck? Thank you for any advice!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Check to see if there's any Calcium Cutrate +D3 in the house (mom might have some). If not, any grocery, pharmacy or even Dollar General should have it in the vitamins/ supplements section. In a pinch, Tums will do, or Rolaids. Open her beak and pop it in, don't worry that it's too big. She'll swallow it right down. It will help her pass the membrane or soft egg. Give her one of these every day for five days. Is oyster shell available at all times?

 

[Penguingirl216]

Thanks for this! We didn't have any calcium citrate or tums and I was able to get the hen into a vet earlier today. The vet pulled a rough, deflated egg out of her and said that I'm likely provided enough calcium since I do give them oyster shell and their layer feed is calcium enriched and the other girls are fine. He thinks its lingering impacts of an old viral infection and could happen again. When I got home she immediately ran to the nesting box. So, not sure if she might be broody on top of all of this? Thank you!

 

[ChicNmom]

Thanks for this! We didn't have any calcium citrate or tums and I was able to get the hen into a vet earlier today. The vet pulled a rough, deflated egg out of her and said that I'm likely provided enough calcium since I do give them oyster shell and their layer feed is calcium enriched and the other girls are fine. He thinks its lingering impacts of an old viral infection and could happen again. When I got home she immediately ran to the nesting box. So, not sure if she might be broody on top of all of this? Thank you!

You are probably providing enough calcium. But she may not be eating it or enough of it. I have had a couple of hens over the years that I had to give calcium pills to occasionally.

So if the soft eggs continue you might want to try to make her take it.

You can also rinse out, dry and crumble eggs shells for them. It seems my one girl that has egg shell problems seems to like those better than the oyster shell I have out for them.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

She's broody if she stays on the nest day and night for two nights.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I came home to find one of my hens (a little over year old - not sure of breed, maybe plymouth rock) not leaving the nesting box. I disturbed her and she left the nesting box and was drinking water but not taking treats. I picked her up and noticed that what looks like the membrane of an egg was hanging out of her vent. I proceeded to soak her in an epsom salt bath and have now placed her in a place away from the other hens and with a heater and her own water and food. I did lightly pull and remove some of the membrane - not sure if that was bad idea and it doesn't seem like I got the whole thing (broke off).

Thanks for this! We didn't have any calcium citrate or tums and I was able to get the hen into a vet earlier today. The vet pulled a rough, deflated egg out of her and said that I'm likely provided enough calcium since I do give them oyster shell and their layer feed is calcium enriched and the other girls are fine. He thinks its lingering impacts of an old viral infection and could happen again.

I would still give her Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for a week. You can find this at Walmart, CVS, etc. in the vitamin aisle. Pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

It's good the vet was able to remove the rest of the membrane.
Interesting him mentioning lingering affects of an old viral infection - how long ago did your flock have infection and do you know what it was? Often respiratory illnesses can affect the reproductive system. Salpingitis (Lash Egg) can be due to these illnesses.

Since she went back to the nesting box once home, she may be working on another egg. Hopefully the calcium will help her expel whatever material that needs to come out.

If you do see another membrane hanging from the vent, it is o.k. to help her out, but time your pulling with her pushing - a hen will have contractions and push, you want to be sure to get it all out if possible.

 

[Penguingirl216]

Thanks for all your help! She's never had an infection while with me but was with a different owner for half her life, but the previous owner didn't mention infections.

I can get calcium but I have now noticed that I think she might have worms. Cleaning the coop this morning I found this (see photo) - is this a roundworm? What is the best way to treat? Wondering if thats why she's struggling. Thank you!

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes that is a large roundworm. You can give Valbazen 1/2 ml orally and then repeat it in 10 days. It is found online and in some feed stores (Southern States and some Rural Kings.) SafeGuard liquid goat wormer or the horse paste can also be used 1/4 ml per pound (1.25 ml for an average 5 pound bird,) given orally one and in 10 days for roundworms only. But give that one for 5 consecutive days to treat most other worms (round, cecal, gape, and capillary) that Valbazen gets.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for all your help! She's never had an infection while with me but was with a different owner for half her life, but the previous owner didn't mention infections.

I can get calcium but I have now noticed that I think she might have worms. Cleaning the coop this morning I found this (see photo) - is this a roundworm? What is the best way to treat? Wondering if thats why she's struggling. Thank you!

View attachment 3931053

I'd follow the deworming instructions that Eggcessive posted earlier. Worms could be a part of why she's struggling, hopefully she will improve once you deworm her.