Reproductive Tract Impaction

[Lrpete]

Last year I lost a Buff Orpington due to a strange blockage in her reproductive tract. She had become lethargic, stopped eating, and lost a lot of weight. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her and then thought maybe she was egg-bound. She was so weak that when I tried to examine her, she died, so I did a necropsy.

Her entire tract was filled with what looked like hard cooked egg yolks (object on the left) and then there was this thin, rubbery tissue (on the ride) attached to her insides. I didn’t know then, and still don’t know, what to make of it, and now I seem to have another chicken with the same problem. She’s just skin and bones and has this mass in her abdomen that feels just like the other one. I don’t know what to give her to help, but I’ve been feeding her separately with some dried bug/mealworm mix, a little scratch, and some of her layer pellets. I wanted to get some extra protein in her to keep her body from consuming her heart muscles and I think it has helped. She seems to have rallied over the past week and she’s more active and going out with the other chickens.

Any thoughts on what this is, how I can treat her, and prevent it in other chickens?

 

[nuthatched]

It's saphalitis. A reproductive infection.
Extra protein doesn't keep the heart muscle from being consumed as the heart muscle doesn't ever get consumed. How old and what breed is your hen? What's her main diet?
Reproductive issues are often genetic and then compounded by poor diet.

 

[Lrpete]

It's saphalitis. A reproductive infection.
Extra protein doesn't keep the heart muscle from being consumed as the heart muscle doesn't ever get consumed. How old and what breed is your hen? What's her main diet?
Reproductive issues are often genetic and then compounded by poor diet.

 

[Lrpete]

She’s a barnyard cross between a Buff Orpington roo and a Speckled Sussex hen and is 1-2 yo.

Her diet is a locally made, non-gmo, layer pellet that has a well-balanced blend of grains, peas, and alfalfa (I think). The company that makes it has an excellent reputation for their animal feeds. They provide all my feed from starter to grower, to layer, and have a different blend for each stage of life.

Is Saphilitis contagious?

PS - all my chicks come from North 40 Farm Store, McMurray Hatchery, or are hatched by hens here on the farm.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Last year I lost a Buff Orpington due to a strange blockage in her reproductive tract. She had become lethargic, stopped eating, and lost a lot of weight. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her and then thought maybe she was egg-bound. She was so weak that when I tried to examine her, she died, so I did a necropsy.

Her entire tract was filled with what looked like hard cooked egg yolks (object on the left) and then there was this thin, rubbery tissue (on the ride) attached to her insides. I didn’t know then, and still don’t know, what to make of it, and now I seem to have another chicken with the same problem. She’s just skin and bones and has this mass in her abdomen that feels just like the other one. I don’t know what to give her to help, but I’ve been feeding her separately with some dried bug/mealworm mix, a little scratch, and some of her layer pellets. I wanted to get some extra protein in her to keep her body from consuming her heart muscles and I think it has helped. She seems to have rallied over the past week and she’s more active and going out with the other chickens.

Any thoughts on what this is, how I can treat her, and prevent it in other chickens?View attachment 3858810

It's Salpingitis or Lash Egg.

Here's info
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/

 

[nuthatched]

She’s a barnyard cross between a Buff Orpington roo and a Speckled Sussex hen and is 1-2 yo.

Her diet is a locally made, non-gmo, layer pellet that has a well-balanced blend of grains, peas, and alfalfa (I think). The company that makes it has an excellent reputation for their animal feeds. They provide all my feed from starter to grower, to layer, and have a different blend for each stage of life.

Is Saphilitis contagious?

PS - all my chicks come from North 40 Farm Store, McMurray Hatchery, or are hatched by hens here on the farm.

No, it isn't contagious.
Does the feed have a nutrition or ingredient label? Do you ferment it or mash?

 

[Lrpete]

No, it isn't contagious.
Does the feed have a nutrition or ingredient label? Do you ferment it or mash?

Yes, but I buy in bulk and have lost the nutrition tag, but I do recall it looks very good and I trust the producer. He locally sources all his ingredients and is very picky about what he puts in his feeds.

I feed them the dry layer pellets from my supplier.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Reproductive issues are often genetic and then compounded by poor diet.

No, it isn't contagious.
Does the feed have a nutrition or ingredient label? Do you ferment it or mash?

It's saphalitis. A reproductive infection

Salpingitis.

Poor diet can contribute to a lot of things, but it is not generally considered the Cause of Salpingitis.

Some reading for you. Links are provided as well.

Here's info
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...tive-system-in-poultry/salpingitis-in-poultry
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/
https://the-chicken-chick.com/causes-of-lash-eggs-salpingitis-by/