Need Help! De-worming Sickly Flock During Molt

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

On that note, if anyone is still looking at this, where in the world can I find a hormonal implant? No vet nearby is willing. They seem to all be located in SoCal and Michigan!

 

[CoriM]

@buffy-the-eggpile-layer Thank you for all that detail, it's so helpful. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with EYP twice. Sounds like you have a knowledgable vet. I didn't think that animals were able to survive EYP. I have another question - you said that you suspected internal laying in the one that eventually developed EYP. I thought that condition was also fatal? Will the eggs eventually absorb, or how is it that she's still alive and doing alright? I'm so sorry for your anxiety around her - that's so hard! I hope you're able to find the implants and that she continues to thrive!

 

[buffy-the-eggpile-layer]

@buffy-the-eggpile-layer Thank you for all that detail, it's so helpful. I'm so sorry you've had to deal with EYP twice. Sounds like you have a knowledgable vet. I didn't think that animals were able to survive EYP. I have another question - you said that you suspected internal laying in the one that eventually developed EYP. I thought that condition was also fatal? Will the eggs eventually absorb, or how is it that she's still alive and doing alright? I'm so sorry for your anxiety around her - that's so hard! I hope you're able to find the implants and that she continues to thrive!

It's rare but honestly, at least in my experience, prompt treatment can give the chicken a good chance. "Prompt treatment" includes strong antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and often, supportive care like force-feeding/hydration to keep them going while the meds kick in. However, the issue causing EYP is often chronic (like internal laying), which means it would ultimately need to be addressed or the EYP will occur again. The only true cures I've found in my research are surgery to remove the ovary (salpingohysterectomy)--which is dangerous and expensive, though new innovations have mitigated the risk--and preventing egg laying through a hormonal implant (deslorelin/suprelorin). The latter is more cost-effective but it's challenging to find a provider willing to purchase/administer the implant. I'm still working on finding somebody willing to do so for my Cordy! Fingers crossed.

About internal laying: it is eventually fatal. Oftentimes the egg material is reabsorbed by the hen's body or it adheres to their insides, causing inflammation, accumulation of debris, infection, and eventually death. The hen will typically exhibit gradual, hard swelling of the abdomen (my Cordy did). Fortunately, in my case, Cordy was so sick with EYP that she stopped laying and then went into a severe molt--this gave her time to recover without additional eggs being laid. There's a chance that she wasn't an internal layer and an infection got out of hand--as such, I'm hoping she may bounce back to regular laying once she's ready (which seems to be soon). Her swelling did go down which makes me hopeful. Again, fingers crossed and prayers sent upstairs.