Marans hen in trouble, something hanging out of her vent

[VictoriaTemple]

This is Pella, a 1 year old Black Copper Marans hen/pullet. I saw her separating from the flock today, and her vent looks like this...

She showed no signs of illness before this except 2x the small end of her eggs was soft. She hasn’t laid much all winter. Is that her oviduct hanging out? How can I help her?

Thanks!

 

[azygous]

It's not easy to tell from a two-dimensional depiction whether that is merely a collapsed shell-less egg or if it also has salpingitis infectious material in it.

I suggest you dose her with a calcium supplement tablet such as you would take yourself to promote strong bones. Place the whole tablet into her beak. She'll swallow. This will strengthen her contractions and she will then push the rest of the material out.

Once it's out, cut into it and photograph it and post it. Also tell us if the consistency of that material is more solid like cheese, cream cheese to Gouda, or if it is more typical of a raw egg.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

The stuff in the clear sac is fluid, about the consistency you would find in a blister. I have to catch her again to learn more.

(Edit) What specifically makes you think lash egg instead of prolapse? I’ve never seen either before except online. At least basic treatment is the same: warm bath, calcium, quarantine.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Looks like a membrane, see if you can gently pull it out.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

So you mean just a membrane, not a true “lash”? Ok. One way to find out, right?

I just don’t want to damage her oviduct if it is prolapse. Am I just freaking out?

 

[coach723]

Just use gentle, constant pressure to see if it will come. Don't yank or force it. Often if you are helping then they will contract and help too. It looks like a collapsed egg membrane to me also. Prolapse is usually very pink/red as it's tissue, not egg material.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Gotcha. Doesn’t sound all that serious. Thank you so much! I will let you know how it goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Looks like an egg membrane with a tail, one of the weird things we see sometimes. Other chickens may pull them out and eat them. I would also give a Tums or calcium tablet.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So you mean just a membrane, not a true “lash”? Ok. One way to find out, right?

I just don’t want to damage her oviduct if it is prolapse. Am I just freaking out?

Were you able to get it out?

 

[VictoriaTemple]

@Eggcessive, that’s exactly what happened! I went out to treat her and 1/2 of it was gone. The other 1/2 came out very easily, papery and a little bloody. The other hens ate it before I could get a picture. Pella seems a little uncomfortable, but otherwise ok. ❤✝