My hen laid a cracked egg, and seems to be struggling. What should I do?

[Eggcessive]

I’m not sure if that is a dropping or something else. She may be having some pain and feels bad. That can be common when hens are having reproductive disorders. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot you can do other than give the calcium, and try to make her comfortable. Half of a low dose 81 mg aspirin once or twice a day might help some, but do nit give mire than 2 days. Some will try an antibiotic from a vet to treat infection, but many antibiotics are not approved for hens. Is a vet possible?

 

[ForestAlice]

I’m not sure if that is a dropping or something else. She may be having some pain and feels bad. That can be common when hens are having reproductive disorders. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot you can do other than give the calcium, and try to make her comfortable. Half of a low dose 81 mg aspirin once or twice a day might help some, but do nit give mire than 2 days. Some will try an antibiotic from a vet to treat infection, but many antibiotics are not approved for hens. Is a vet possible?

Thank you SO MUCH. I had no idea you could give hens aspirin- giving her some would definitely ease my mind, because her posture earlier today was indicating pain. I’ll definitely do that if she seems to be in pain. She’s been eating and drinking, and was actually very alert a few moments ago when I cleaned the cage, so that makes me feel a bit more optimistic. Here’s a picture of her, since @casportpony wanted to see. I’m worried about her tail being down and her eyes being closed- but she may just be going to sleep for the night since it’s dark now. I’ll check on her again later tonight, and if she seems to be in pain, I’ll give her an aspirin.

Unfortunately we can’t afford vet bills-so all we can do is call a vet for advice for home treatment, reach out here, and do our best with what we have. Thank you both so much, and I’ll continue to do my best for her.

 

[ForestAlice]

@speckledhen @Eggcessive Hi again! Duchess has been doing well. She's full of energy, eating and drinking too. She hasn't passed anything abnormal, and her poops are starting to look normal again. She's been cooped up in a small cage for a few days now, so I want her to be able to go back outside with her sisters, but I wanted to get a second opinion before I do that. I remember that @speckledhen said that what she had wasn't contagious, but I still wanted to get the ok from one or both of you now that she's doing better.

I've also treated my two other girls for worms, but held off on the treatment for Duchess. I think she's strong enough now to be able to take the medication- (we've been using safeguard and feeding it to them on tomato pieces) but once again I'm doubting myself and I'm seeking a second opinion. Think she's okay enough for it yet?
Thank you both for your time, and once she's outside and happy again, I'll have a picture up!

 

[ameliathedominant]

im glad shes doing better and i think you should definatley put her back with her sisters. just while watching her closley.

 

[ForestAlice]

im glad shes doing better and i think you should definatley put her back with her sisters. just while watching her closley.

Aw, thanks so much! I'm glad too. Its definitely scary, because these birds are my babies, and I don't want them to get sick... But Duchess deserves time outside today. So either way, she'll get some time around the yard until I can convince myself that what she had wasn't contagious. I just wouldn't want her sisters eating her poops and getting sick... Yeesh, I'm such a worried parent, haha...

 

[speckledhen]

She should be okay to go back. The less time she has to spend away, the better, because it doesn't take long for a hen to lose her place in the pecking order . Reproductive malfunctions are not contagious in the least, though if you have a lot of hatchery hens like Golden Comets or Production Reds and even the most common hatchery breeds they sell like Rocks and Wyandottes, it may seem that way because things with the reproductive system like internal laying and egg yolk peritionitis seem to happen often after the age of two, sometimes even starting before that.

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree that putting her back is best at this time. I don’t like to separate for more than 4-5 days, even with breaking a broody hen, since it creates problems trying to reintegrate. I would also worm her now if you wish. If younuse SafeGuard or Valbazen, those are easy on them.

 

[speckledhen]

If younuse SafeGuard or Valbazen, those are easy on them.

I agree with that, forgot to mention the worming part. Been too distracted lately. Yeah, those are probably the easiest on the system.

 

[ameliathedominant]

Aw, thanks so much! I'm glad too. Its definitely scary, because these birds are my babies, and I don't want them to get sick... But Duchess deserves time outside today. So either way, she'll get some time around the yard until I can convince myself that what she had wasn't contagious. I just wouldn't want her sisters eating her poops and getting sick... Yeesh, I'm such a worried parent, haha...

yea, its crazy. there are like people who dont even think of chickens as living things and then there are those crazy chicken enthusiasts who cant stop pampering them