Henopause or something else?!

[ANiceKaren]

Hi friends! I have a question regarding my 4 year old Golden Laced Wyandotte Hazel. She has been a consistent layer for the past 4 years, laying an egg at least every other day. No reproductive issues ever. This week she laid a nice egg on Monday and then I noticed her being a bit off.. laying down more.. straining a bit and later that day I saw a white membrane type thing hanging from vent. It almost looked like a string of incased egg white. She has been acting normal since. Two days later she laid an egg in the yard (not nesting box) which is not something she would ever do. This egg was pretty much empty! It was a whole shell (full size) not a fairy egg.... hard shell with very little egg white inside (no yolk) and now she is back on nesting box… Her poops seem normal.. she is eating and drinking and roaming around the yard. We had a heat wave 2 weeks ago and it’s been pretty hot again as well.. could this be from heat, is she going through henopause..or should I be concerned something is making her ill? I have a vet appt for her next week (just in case) but truly don’t have the extra $ if it’s not something serious. And it’s 2 hours away which would stress her out... what would you all do! Love this girl!

 

[FrostRanger]

First, Hazel is a very pretty girl! I can't say ik what's going on but I did have a pullet lay an egg like the one you describe once. Unfortunately, she was sick with wet fowl pox at the time she laid it and did pass few days later. She did go back to laying normally after that "egg" so I'm thinking it was a one time glitch perhaps triggered by the stress of being ill. No, I don't think your bird is necessarily ill, but it could be related to stress as you suspected or just a random glitch in the system but I'll wait on someone else to chime in

I do know they'll want to know her diet and if she has any other symptoms you can think of

 

[ANiceKaren]

First, Hazel is a very pretty girl! I can't say ik what's going on but I did have a pullet lay an egg like the one you describe once. Unfortunately, she was sick with wet fowl pox at the time she laid it and did pass few days later. She did go back to laying normally after that "egg" so I'm thinking it was a one time glitch perhaps triggered by the stress of being ill. No, I don't think your bird is necessarily ill, but it could be related to stress as you suspected or just a random glitch in the system but I'll wait on someone else to chime in

I do know they'll want to know her diet and if she has any other symptoms you can think of

Thanks for the reply! It def has been hot the past few days.. around 90 which is hot for our area. 2 weeks ago we had 90+ temps.. she laid fine during that but I’m sure it could still have taken its toll. Her diet has been the same for 4 years.. later crumbles and occassional meal worms and scratch. I also give them some frozen berries/watermelon on hot days. I haven’t changed anything… sorry about your girl! Hazel is a beauty! She is my oldest girl. A little over 4 now. I haven’t noticed any other symptoms but today after dropping the yolkless egg on grass she continues to go to laying box so I think she feels something else.. I did give her calcium tab the other day when she had the membrane in her vent to push anything else out. Her poo is a bit runny but most are normal and normal color. No yellow or anything.

 

[FrostRanger]

Hmm, keep an eye on her to make sure she lays. If she doesn't, give a espom salt soak and continue with the calcium tablets