Looks like egg plus membrane of sort is sticking out of my hen - HELP!

Spatzerl

In the Brooder
Jun 22, 2015
28
0
34
I know it's hard to see but this is what it looks like.
400

What to do????
 
Can you take another picture? It looks like she could have a prolapsed cloaca, but I'm not sure. A prolapse can occur at the same time as egg binding, but not always. Do you see a piece of egg membrane hanging outside the vent opening? If there is a broken egg membrane hanging out, then you can pull it out. Egg binding may result from low calcium levels, dehydration, and too large of an egg. A prolapse may be treated by lubrication of the vent, and pushing it back inside. Preparation H or honey can be applied to the vent opening to redce swelling. Here are some links to read about a prolapse if that is the problem, as well as egg binding:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic.html
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/Prolapse.htm
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html

vent+a.jpg

prolapsed cloaca-photo by armorfirelady
 
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I will take a better picture. Basically, it looks like an egg stuck inside a bloody membrane. So possibly prolapse and egg bound at same time , is my guess. I am worried about breaking egg, though, if we try to push it back in...... I assume we just have to be extra careful. The chickens have been getting oyster shell daily and they free range, which means plenty of sunlight for them.
 
I would place her in some warm soapy water to clean her off, and put on some rubber gloves and insert a finger inside the vent to feel for an egg. I still can't see the vent, but the red bulge looks like she could be egg bound or have a hernia below the vent. I would lubricate and try to manipulate the egg out. Hopefully you can get it out without breaking. Give her a Tums or human calcium tablet now.
 
Ok, thanks! Got the egg back inside. You can't see the vent because it is around the huge egg. Can't figure out the right exit for the egg, though. Hope the chicken can manage. So, on my layer feed it says "do not supplement with calcium", because it already contains calcium. I do offer oyster shell free choice, though. Could they still be lacking calcium? It baffles me!
 
Yes, most people supplement with extra calcium in the form of feeding back crushed egg shells or oyster shell free choice. If she was egg bound then giving her some calcium will help. Also make sure that she is drinking well. Place her in a tub of warm water and massage her lower abdomen toward her vent, to help her pass the egg. If that doesen't work, some place them in a warm and humid bathroom, since warm moist air can help pass an egg. God luck.
 
So, we decided to cull her. Once I pushed the egg back in,it not only kept popping back out, but her vent was such a swollen and stretched out mess, I couldn't imagine it ever being ok again. Anyways, there is no reason not to use her for stock, right? Even though eggs were backed up inside her and ( I assume) most digestion had already stopped since nothing could go anywhere?
 

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