Is a leaky vent normal?

[ColoradoMike]

Is it normal for a new layer to have what appears to be egg white/yolk leaking from her vent after laying her first soft shell egg? It happened all last night and she 'laid' the soft shell egg yesterday afternoon.

Thanks.

 

[spook]

Oh gosh, I hope I'm absolutely wrong! I had a hen do this, and it ended up being egg parentinitis- infection from laying an egg internally. Like I said, I hope I'm wrong.
Is she still straining like to deficate or lay an egg? That is a sign, standing, no relaxing and listless and not eating/drinking. My poor girl died in a little over 24 hours, and I never thought a thing of it, but after looking in her (not expected by animal lovers) but the damage was to much and I should have put her down. Antibiotics would not help my bird, as for your own, I don't know.
Good luck !

 

[ColoradoMike]

I think she stood on the coop floor all night - there are two areas where it looks like egg innards leaked out of her. She did appear to be straining and is definitely not herself - seems shell shocked or something.

This is after laying only her first (soft shelled) egg. Could this happen so early?

Dang, I hope this isn't it. Now I'm really worried.

 

[Judy]

Sounds like another soft shelled egg broke inside her. That is not the same as egg peritonitis at all.

There are two threads on eggbound hens on the FAQ page. This is also not the same, but similar, and she needs that kind of care.

For starters, offer layer feed and oyster shell, if you aren't already. Crush a Tums, for a calcium boost, and put it in her water. Bring her in and give her a warm bath, then put her in a box or cage by herself, in a somewhat darkened place.

It is not unusual at all for new layers to lay soft shelled eggs. Give her the care she needs, and she may very well recover and live a long egg laying life.

Good luck.