Lethargic chicken...and it might be spreading

[bn37]

I have two hens (2 year old Red Shavers I think) and 4 chicks around three months old (2-Easter Eggers, 1-Barred Rock, 1-Brahma...again I think). About four days ago one of the hens started acting goofy. We noticed she was under a bush in our yard just standing there...for quite some time. Another time she was squatted down where they take their dust baths...just sitting there. I looked at some posts on here and started thinking she might be egg bound so I did as the posts said and got her soaking in warm water. I couldn't find any epson salts, but did have some table salt so I put that into the warm water (not sure if that helped or not). She didn't approve much of the whole affair, but I did get her a couple decent soakings. Her behavior didn't change a whole lot so the wife volunteered to put on a lubed glove and checked her vent. I don't speak Chickenese, but I would guess she approved of that even less than the sitz bath. The wife's observation was no egg present in the delivery chute. About 20 minutes after this I noticed her off to one side of the yard acting like she was pecking at her chest. Pretty much every day she delivers a big brown egg, but none the last five days or so. There has been a funky greenish mess in the coop under the roost two or three times. It may be nothing, but I noticed one of the Easter Egger chicks starting to act goofy today. She was off away from the other three chicks...funny enough under the same bush. Later I noticed she was in the coop laying back under the ramp that goes up into the coop. I appreciate any input and thanks for the forum!

 

[Eggcessive]

That looks like egg yolk in the dropping, possibly from the red hen who looks a bit under the weather. She may be having some problems laying, possibly having an egg break inside, and sometimes they can have rubber eggs with no shell which are harder to lay. I would watch her closely, and try giving her some human calcium (calcium tablets or Tums, or a finely ground egg shell mixed into a little cooked egg, for the next few days. If she lays a normal egg, stop the calcium. If they have an egg break inside it can make them feel poorly for a day or two.

 

[bn37]

Thanks Eggcessive I'll do that!

 

[Kathy Golla]

X2 eggcessive
Make sure she is getting a high quality layer feed and free range oyster shell.
They need to be eating the layer feed and oyster shell, watch giving them treats very closely. Probably lay off of any treats until she gets past this. She’s going to feel poorly until she gets back on track.

 

[bn37]

I have a oyster shell out and am feeding Purina layer feed.

Thanks Kathy!

 

[Eggcessive]

My hens will eat crushed egg shells more quickly than oyster shell, so I collect some in a freezer bag, toss them on a baking sheet for 5 minutes at 200 degrees F. Then let them cool for 5 minutes, a toss in a freezer bag where they crush easy. The baking just makes them more crispy. You also can cook an egg and feed part of it along with 1 finely ground egg shell. Most hens will wolf that down.

 

[bn37]

Thanks again Eggcessive.

I'll cook up a egg shell omelet today.

I usually save up egg shells then throw them in the oven after cooking something. I then put those in the bullet and grind them up good and sprinkle into the layer pellets.

This same hen has laid some soft shell eggs in the past. One time she laid an egg that was normal size with a hard shell, but much lighter in color.

Weird