I am new to backyard chickens. Mine (there are 5) are about 9 months old barred rock mix, 5-7 pounds, great layers, friendly, roam free most of the day, come in at dusk to their hen house and coop area. About a week ago we noticed a broken egg or two. Then there was a slime on the eggs, as in egg white perhaps, but no broken shells. 4 days ago I noticed one of my hens has a huge bright red featherless bulge, about the size of a baseball right below the vent. She seems normal in every other way but I am very worried about the bulge. I can't find a vet to take me seriously. My daughters LOVE these birds. Please tell me what is going on with her and if there is anything I can do to help. They eat layer pellets but on Friday, at the suggestion of the kid at the feed store, I added oyster shells to their diet.
aaahhhh, doesn't sound good.... It could be egg yolk peritonitis. I've never seen it, only read about it.
Can you feel gently and tell if there is an egg behind that bulge? You said she's acting normal in every other way. Is she still laying eggs?
I don't know where you are, but here's a list of avian vets listed alphabetically by state. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=200108 Good luck!!
Can you post a picture? It sounds like she may be prolapsed, but it's hard to say for sure by the description. Check out this link and see if that is what is going on. http://www.avianweb.com/Prolapse.htm If it is a prolapse clean the area well, lubricate, apply prep h and/or sugar (reg table sugar, it helps the tissue shrink and pull back in though I don't know why) and put her in a warm dry area away from the other chooks. You want to seperate her because the others will peck the red area and kill her. A large dog crate works great for a chicken hospital and you can cover it to keep it dark which will hopefully stop her laying for the time being. Good luck with her.
We are in Huntington,MA. Thank for all the info. I looked at the link on prolapse and it is definitely not that. When I feel the bulge there I no egg. It feels more like air or fluid. She is still laying. I will post a picture as soon as I figure out how. Thanks for all the support.
I think it is egg yolk peritonitis too. I have one maybe even two that I am certain has it and she has the same thing. If you can watch her when she lays or tires to lay. If you notice she goes to lay but nothing is there when she's done she probably has it. I believe it is also called internal laying and they will die from it. I don't have the heart to cull mine as she eats and runs around happily but I know it is only a matter of time. She has been like this for 2 months.
