In desperate need of help :-(

[CharlieBonkers]

Really hoping someone can help. I have an adorable chook who seems to struggle laying healthy egg - with them being seriously wrinkly.
2 weeks ago she had a bounded egg and was really poorly. We managed to get it sorted and made sure she ate some oyster shell. Since then, we've been trying to make sure she gets plenty calcium - bringing her into house to feed egg shells.
But, woke up this morning to another bounded egg. I've pulled the shell out and she's running about like normal.

We've also been fighting lice and wondered if this could be causing stress and the bounded eggs?

It seems like a losing battle, but want to do everything possible for her. Please can someone help

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Definitely get rid of the lice as that can drag their immune system and energy down.

Returning egg binding indicates inflammation of the egg duct or scarring may be likely.

I would put her on some antibiotics if you have not done so already and make sure she has lots of water.

Continue with the calcium, and you may wish to put vitamins/electrolytes in the water so that it is easily digestible and goes faster into her system. You may need calcium injections.

Here's an article which may help:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html

Good luck with her. I hope she recovers fully soon.

LofMc

 

[CharlieBonkers]

that's excellent, thank you so much for this advice. I have called the vet, who will be calling back, so will try and pick up the calcium injections and antibiotics tonight.

with regards to the lice. we have powdered them 3 times in pas 11 days, but i think the problem is the eggs sacks at the base of the feathers. how can we get rid of the lice egg sacks?

sorry for maybe asking basic chicken care questions, but i have only had chickens for 7 weeks, and hadn't heard of these issues, so i didnt check the breeder we got them from had a lice programme :-/

 

[Lady of McCamley]

With body lice, you dust once, then wait 7 days and dust again, then wait 7 days and dust once more.

You can't get rid of the egg sacks (without plucking the bird which would be very traumatic for the bird) so you ill the emerging adults...which happens on about a 7 to 10 day schedule.

Also clean all bedding and dispose, Dust poultry dust around the coop.

Don't use Diatomaceous Earth or herbal remedies...they hold it at bay but do not eradicate a true outbreak. For that, you need the "real stuff."

By all means, go to your vet, but if per chance you have a vet that does not treat chickens (many do not), you can pick up antibiotics at the feed store and put it in her water. The tetracycline type is broad based and works well as does the oxytetracyline (typically sold as Duramycin-7 or Tylan).
LofMc

 

[CharlieBonkers]

That's excellent, thanks the vet didn't offer antibiotics or anything like that, so will pick some up at local vet supplies store