Rainy East Coast=weird egg stuff?

[Lunachick]

My chickens started laying eggs last week and everything was fine. It's been raining heavy for two days, chickens getting wet, doesn't seem to bother them, they have access to coop to be dry. But today (a.m.) I went egg checking and they both layed a wet egg mess each. I took them out and cleaned up, they acted fine most of the day. Then Ruby layed an egg yolk in the run and had trouble getting rid of the white part and part of the soft shell. I let her out to get some fresh air and excercise and she was straining to get the other part out. I used a paper towel to slowly tug out the part she was trying to get out, (without prolapsing) I got it out and it was like the inner film of the eggshell part ( I think!!) ewww, but she was so releived and went foraging, and seemed OK. Was this the right thing to do? She is acting fine, and was tucked in OK tonight. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Also, the other one (Pearl Anne) was foraging around and kinda barfed up some clear liquid (water?) but acted normal and went about her business before bedtime (sound familiar to anyone?) Do I have to worry?! HALP!

 

[justusnak]

Hmmmmm, I dont know if the weather has anything to do with it or not. You said they just started laying? So they are 5 to 6 months old? Might be a new hen thing. Do they have access to oyster shell? I think you did the right thing to get the rest of that out of her. Otherwise she might have gotten an infection. The possibility might still be there for infection. I say....go get some meds, just in case. I would watch them closely, but I am sure if they are young....its a newbie thing. Let us know how they are doing.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Can't think how the weather would cause that. Sounds like they don't have enough calcium to produce egg shell. Make sure to have oyster shell out free choice in a container for them.
I don't know about the "throwing up". Haven't ever seen that, and don't know if it is serious or not. Are they eating their feed??

 

[Lunachick]

They do have access to oyster shell. I give them organic yogurt with chopped tomatoes or grapes, whatever I have on hand. They get layer feed with added calcium. I'm hoping it's just a newbie thing. I was just curious as to why it started after they were already laying fine! No eggs yet today. Maybe later, Thanks for the input, will see if they get back on track today.

 

[keljonma]

It probably isn't the weather... As far as the shell-less eggs, it does take a while for their bodies to adjust to laying proper eggs. What you saw was probably the shell in a soft condition or the membrane. Our Buttercup's first pullet egg was a yolk and white with a rubbery membrane shell. After that, all eggs were normal. So I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless it happens every time. Also, it takes them a while to regularly produce eggs, so they may skip a day or two when they first start.

Keep an eye on Pearl Anne to see if any more fluid is coming out of her mouth. If she got hold of some moldy or wet feed or grass, it could cause some serious problems.

Good luck!

regards,
keljonma

if edited, probably for typos...

 

[tink]

Hey....I read that dry cat food is another good way to give your chickens calcuim to strengthen their shells. My chickens love it.
Hope this helps. tink

 

[Lunachick]

kel - their food (mash) got a little wet with the wind and rain, they didn't want to eat it, I dumped it and put in dry fresh mash. I don't know if Pearl Anne got ahold of any of it. But it wasn't there long enough to get moldy. Is that what you meant? She is acting lively and chickeny. She's also a whiner, so I can't tell if she needs something or that is just her personality. Got an egg from her yesterday, so that department is OK. No egg from the other one, yet. Her problem seems to be the other end. (Vent)


Tink - I'm going to give them that treat today! Thanks.