New layer trouble...two soft shell eggs and now...? Please help!

[chickengoggles]

Well, that was a bit of a bust. She is NOT interested in Tums in yogurt, nor would she tolerate a more liquidy form syringed on to corner/outside of beak. But her vent was still normal looking, aside from some poopy feathers below. She also pooped what looked like normal green/white poop with a bit of yellowish material (yolk?).

I'll try again tomorrow with a mash, with mealworms if need be. She is bright, sweet and sassy tonight, so that's encouraging.

 

[micstrachan]

My birds, whether they are healthy or ill, cannot resist raw egg yolk. Can you put some crushed calcium in one for her and see if she’ll take it?

 

[chickengoggles]

Sorry, I didn't see the yolk suggestion before I went out at 5 this morning. She ate part of a mash with 1/2 a tums in it. She wasn't on the roost when I got out there, so she was either in the nest box or the floor of the stall where I couldn't see her. After she ate and I let the others out, she stood off by herself, a tiny bit fluffed up. I brought her over to the water (I put vitamins and electrolytes in it) and she drank. Her crop felt flat first thing this morning, which I guess is good, but after she drank, she went out and stood by herself again. So definitely starting to act like she doesn't feel well.

I'm calling the vet as soon as they open. Keep your fingers crossed for us, please.

 

[DobieLover]

Sorry, I didn't see the yolk suggestion before I went out at 5 this morning. She ate part of a mash with 1/2 a tums in it. She wasn't on the roost when I got out there, so she was either in the nest box or the floor of the stall where I couldn't see her. After she ate and I let the others out, she stood off by herself, a tiny bit fluffed up. I brought her over to the water (I put vitamins and electrolytes in it) and she drank. Her crop felt flat first thing this morning, which I guess is good, but after she drank, she went out and stood by herself again. So definitely starting to act like she doesn't feel well.

I'm calling the vet as soon as they open. Keep your fingers crossed for us, please.

I hope your vet will see her. She may have an infection from the soft-shelled egg that broke inside her and needs antibiotics. Good luck.

 

[Eggcessive]

These are her first eggs. I have Tums and some D3 oil...would a drop or two of that help, until I can get Caltrate tomorrow?

I'm really hoping this is just a glitch of a first-time layer.

Then you don’t necessarily need caltrate—just some calcium and vitamin D3. Since these are her first eggs, then I would be less worried about her having a serious problem. Well I wrote this before your later posts about how she looks this morning. They tend to feel bad when they are having problems with their eggs. The vet may want to give her an antibiotic or anti-inflammatory drug. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

Since she has some egg like material in her stool, I would start an antibiotic. Baytril (enrofloxacin) would be best, but your vet may not prescribe it since it is banned for chickens, but many use it and discard eggs for a couple of weeks. Here is a source where you can get it yourself (get the 100 ml liquid)
https://www.jedds.com/shop/misc/

Dosage is 0.05 ml per pound twice a day for 5 days. For example, for a 5 pound hen, give 0.25 ml.

 

[chickengoggles]

Since she has some egg like material in her stool, I would start an antibiotic. Baytril (enrofloxacin) would be best, but your vet may not prescribe it since it is banned for chickens, but many use it and discard eggs for a couple of weeks. Here is a source where you can get it yourself (get the 100 ml liquid)
https://www.jedds.com/shop/misc/

Dosage is 0.05 ml per pound twice a day for 5 days. For example, for a 5 pound hen, give 0.25 ml.

This is injectable? I'm actually more comfortable with the thought of injections - I vaccinate my horses, and had to give daily injections to a pair of cockatiels years ago. I don't think she is going to be very amenable to oral meds.

I'll see what Dr. J says first, I guess. She was spot on in prescribing steroids for an older EE who was recovering from a hay impaction in her crop, so hopefully she will pick a good antibiotic, or be open to the Baytril? What makes it better in these cases, Eggcessive? I have only been doing chickens since November, so bear with me.

 

[chickengoggles]

Vet is coming this afternoon with injectable Baytril. She was supposed to come while I was at work, but has had multiple emergencies. It's lambing season. Fingers crossed!

 

[Eggcessive]

You can also give injectable Baytril orally. Most people would rather give a tiny amount into the beak or in a treat such as egg, rather than do injections into the breast muscle. But that is up to you. Glad that you have the vet coming . I will check in later for an update.

 

[chickengoggles]

She's not feeling well. Standing or laying on ground in corner or under chair when I got home. Vet gave her the first Baytril injection, and got to see her absolute refusal to take anything orally when it came time to give her two drops of steroids (which she eventually managed, and taught me how to open her beak).

I'll go back out in another hour and offer her scrambled eggs first, then yolk if she won't eat them. Hopefully can get her to drink. No fluid in her crop this evening. I've put her in a crate, separate from her three fellow quarantinees.

She really doesn't look well. I'm worried. Hoping this will head off true septicemia.