need advise

[mmclaughlin]

Hi all,
I have exhausted all I can think of to help this 2 yr old nh red hen..she doesn't lay good eggs always large,wrinkled mishapen with very thin shells(there is always oyster shell available to them)
I was thinking that she is egg bound -swollen abdomen,straining, sitting, walking like a duck etc
I have separated her-soaked her-massaged her- given her tums- lubed her vent did an internal can't feel egg
today I noticed when I put her on the table to check her expelled what looks like a piece of tissue? any ideas? It also happened last night during her soak.. maybe a rupture of some kind?? she is quiet but alert doesn't seem to be eating or drinking alot
I did let her out in the yard yesterday she pecked and foraged a little...
thanks for the advise

 

[Eggcessive]

Have you ever seen her or any others sneezing? Infectious bronchitis, a virus, can cause wrinkled eggs, but she also may be an internal layer or have something wrong with her egg production. Calcium and vitamin D3 can help, but if she is getting enough, there may be nothing you can do. My hens always have layer feed, crushed oystershell crushed egg shells available, but I still have a couple of eggs that can be thin shelled. My hens take the egg shells better, and they are all gone when I throw them out for treats. If you saw a piece of tissue, that sounds like a lash egg, which is probably a sign of internal laying. Here is a good link to read about egg quality problems: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems

 

[Akrnaf2]

Was it like an intestine coating layer? Do you have any pic.?

 

[mmclaughlin]

no cough no sneeze.... bright and active until this past sunday..just not a good egg layer
I will post pic after work.stay tuned
thanks

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a thread showing lash eggs: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/637090/my-first-lash-egg-experience

And another link for multiple threads on wrinkled egg shells: https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=wrinkles+eggshell

 

[mmclaughlin]

eggcessive... do they act like they are egg bound with a "lash" egg??? how can I treat her?

 

[mmclaughlin]

so this is what i found last night(small pc) and then i came home tonight to find this(bigger one) so i read all about lash egg..she still isnt eating how should i treat this
thanks
going to go read more about it

 

[Eggcessive]

Unfortunately from what I have read from other BYC members such as Speckled Hen and others, there is not a whole lot that can be done. Many give antibiotics such as penicillin (or better ones from a vet,) and provide calcium, a good diet, and make them comfortable. Sometimes they can develop ascites or fluid in the abdomen from liver failure, and draining the fluid periodically may make some comfortable. Here are some links and theads to read about internal laying/egg yolk peritonitis:
http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx
http://scoopfromthecoop.nutrenaworld.com/tag/laying-issues/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/195347/my-ivy-latest-relapse-shes-gone
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/362422/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/526089/egg-yolk-peritonitis

 

[mmclaughlin]

well i cut it in half thought you might like to see it not exactly what i thought this would look like. now that she has passed it should she start feeling better? not really sure what my next step should be... do i still need to soak her?
i am sad...this is my 1st sick chicken.
thanks
michelle

 

[Eggcessive]

I probably would not soak her or bathe her since she is feeling bad. You may want to PM either Speckled Hen or Casportpony who have a lot more experience than I do with internal laying. Do you have a vet that might see her? If she acts egg bound then placing her in a warm bathroom with the shower turned on for steam may help without the stress of a bath.