Rhode Island Red Hen

buttercupoluv

In the Brooder
Jun 28, 2022
6
2
21
We are worried about Henny. She is one of four hens, and the only one with any problems.

Here's a list of what's happening:
1. Egg laying was consistent with no problems. Then egg shells progressively got thinner until there is zero shell.
2. We are finding this chalky yellow mixture in the morning under the roosting bars.
3. Gets lethargic. Stands and naps. Epsom salt bath helps her get back to normal.
4. Under-weight and very warm under wings and legs.
5. Primary feathers on wings are thin and bare (skeleton-like).
6. She is eating, drinking, and pooping.
7. Sometimes she is sick, sometimes she is normal.

Diet:
1. Scratch & Peck 16% Layer Feed mixed with fermented feed
2. Water (alternate supplements of Hen Boost or Nutri-Drench)
3. Morning veggie salad (mixture of in-season produce)

We always have oyster shells, limestone, and grit available to the hens. I've also supplemented the feed with Purina Layena+ (has extra calcium), but had to stop because the other hens' eggs were coming out with excess calcium buildup.

Coop, Tunnel, and Yard are secure and enclosed w/ supervised free-range time during the week.

My other three hens are thriving. Please let me know what is wrong with Henny.

Thank you for your time!
 

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Last edited:
Do you have oyster shells in a separate dish for calcium? If not try putting some out. You can also give her some calcium citrate and d3 vitamins for a few days (the same ones you'd buy for a person). Laying soft shelled eggs is hard on a hen, hopefully that'll get her sorted
 
Do you have oyster shells in a separate dish for calcium? If not try putting some out. You can also give her some calcium citrate and d3 vitamins for a few days (the same ones you'd buy for a person). Laying soft shelled eggs is hard on a hen, hopefully that'll get her sorted
We always have oyster shells, limestone, and grit available for the hens. I've also supplemented the feed with Purina Layena+ (has extra calcium), but had to stop because the other hens' eggs were coming out with excess calcium buildup.
 
I'd still give her the calcium citrate and D3 to see if that gets the immediate soft shelled egg issue resolved. Have you observed her actually eating the oyster shells?
 
Do you have oyster shells in a separate dish for calcium? If not try putting some out. You can also give her some calcium citrate and d3 vitamins for a few days (the same ones you'd buy for a person). Laying soft shelled eggs is hard on a hen, hopefully that'll get her sorted
I will get the calcium citrate + d3 vitamins. Should I give them daily for 7 days?
 
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/

I would say this.

Start giving her calcium with D3. I have a hen that has issues with making shells so now that she is doing OK I still give her calcium tablets in her beak weekly.

First thing is to get shells on the eggs so they can pass and not build up egg material internally.

Then treat the infection and inflammation.

You can treat the infection with antibiotics or acidified copper sulfate.

A vet would also prescribe meloxicam or a similar med. You can get it from a Canadian pet pharmacy but it would take some time for shipping.

Most people use antibiotics. I recently tried the ACS and it worked and also without the side effects of the antibiotics. But I also caught this infection earlier than the few times I tried the antibiotics for a reproductive infection.
 
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/

I would say this.

Start giving her calcium with D3. I have a hen that has issues with making shells so now that she is doing OK I still give her calcium tablets in her beak weekly.

First thing is to get shells on the eggs so they can pass and not build up egg material internally.

Then treat the infection and inflammation.

You can treat the infection with antibiotics or acidified copper sulfate.

A vet would also prescribe meloxicam or a similar med. You can get it from a Canadian pet pharmacy but it would take some time for shipping.

Most people use antibiotics. I recently tried the ACS and it worked and also without the side effects of the antibiotics. But I also caught this infection earlier than the few times I tried the antibiotics for a reproductive infection.
I will give the calcium/D3 for 7 days, then weekly. Should I give the antibiotics during the calcium, or wait until after?
 

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