I have two situations I would ask for anyone's help on. The two ladies I am going to talk about are both about a year old. The first one is a brown leghorn. My son (the owner of the ladies) let them out of their coop last Friday morning a little after sunrise to forage in the back yard. About 9, he noticed "Foggy" standing in the corner of the yard with her head and tail all drooped down. We watched her closely and she seemed to be going down hill rapidly. About 10 we decided to soak her in some warm water to she if she was egg bound. After we soaked her she seemed to pick up a bit. But, shortly started back down hill. We soaked her agin to see if that might help and I felt of her abdomen to see if I could feel an egg, which I could not. At about 2, we decided to take her to the vet, he gave her a shot of antibiotics, Unfortunately, she died a short time later, while we were driving back home. Anybody have any ideas on what would make a seemingly healthy bird go down hill so fast? Should we be doing anything for the existing birds as for as watching or treating them for anything. Then this morning, when he went to let the three remaining hens out of their coop he found that his Easter egger had laid an unshelled egg. Shortly after, she "laid" or passed a membrane or something that was 2 & 1/2 to 3 inches long, tapering from about 1/2 in to 1/8 inch in diameter. The small end was closed and the large end was open. I have watched her today, she has eaten and drank well all day. She has forged on green grass in the backyard this afternoon. We keep oyster shells out for them at all times. Does anyone have any ideas on what might be wrong with this chicken and possible treatments? Should we isolate her from the other two hens?
Sorry about your loss. When these things happen we want to know why. Sometimes we may not find the why. But we need to practice good management, and provide proper nutrition and water. If they have moved recently, or added a dog or other change or disturbance that increases their stress will affect their laying.
I am so sorry for your loss! It is so hard to know what happened to her without knowing more, specific symptoms, and even then it is guesswork. Are you able to consider having her in for a necropsy? This may give you some answers, and might help you learn how to help your other birds. If she passed last Friday (did I understand that right?), it is probably too late, but if you lose any more birds you might want to consider it. Texas A&M has a very good program for this and last I checked their rates are reasonable if your local vet is not a licensed avian vet... http://tvmdl.tamu.edu/ How old is the EE that laid the weird egg?
Nambroth, All of our birds are about 1 year old. She died last Friday and we buried her then so, probably not able to do a necropsy. Thanks
