Shelless Eggs and Droopy Tail

[Chickie6]

Hello,

I have been struggling with thin shells off and on since I got chickens. I have crushed oyster shells available at all times and even throw some out so they can peck at them.

Quack who is almost 2 has had shelless eggs for the past three days. Today she has a droopy tail and just doesn't feel well.

Anythoughts? What can I do for her?

We have ducks so I didn't know if she was dealing with the egg drop virus or something else. Does that virus just run its course?

I'm feeding kalmbach layer pellets but I think I need a better nutrition program. They range the backyard for 4 to 5 hours per day and are in a 20 by 20 run otherwise. There are 8 soon to be adding 5 more.

Any thoughts or advice on any of the above is welcomed and appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

The layer pellets contain about 4% calcium and that should be enough, although it is good to have crushed oyster shell available for them to take extra if needed. I also feed back crushed egg shells. Some hens still have reproductive problems, even with getting enough calcium. Exposure to a respiratory virus can affect egg shells. Infection or tumors in the oviduct can also. Her tail position being down points to a possible reproductive infection. Antibiotics such as Fish Mox may be found in some feed stores, but is available online. That might be something you would want to give to see if it helps. Make sure that her diet has vitamin D and is a balanced diet with few if any treats.

 

[Chickie6]

The layer pellets contain about 4% calcium and that should be enough, although it is good to have crushed oyster shell available for them to take extra if needed. I also feed back crushed egg shells. Some hens still have reproductive problems, even with getting enough calcium. Exposure to a respiratory virus can affect egg shells. Infection or tumors in the oviduct can also. Her tail position being down points to a possible reproductive infection. Antibiotics such as Fish Mox may be found in some feed stores, but is available online. That might be something you would want to give to see if it helps. Make sure that her diet has vitamin D and is a balanced diet with few if any treats.

Is the reproductive infection something my vet can check for?

 

[Eggcessive]

You can spend a lot of money on vets trying to diagnose infections or egg yolk peritonitis. If a vet is not out of the question, they might help with xrays or exams. Most hens eventually will die of one of those things or cancer. Fish Mox is amoxicillin, and you canntry giving her a course over 10 days. Dosage is 125-250 mg twice a day given orally. You can get that here or at Chewys.com:
https://www.allivet.com/p-2377-fish...MIv4CQs7bi8AIVD2xvBB3p_g6JEAAYAyAAEgLQ4fD_BwE

 

[Chickie6]

I gave her some nutri drench for now as I don't have any antibiotics on hand. This is how she is looking. There is some food in her crop but I cannot say if it is from last night or this morning, her crop was a bit fuller last night I believe. I'm wondering if she is trying to pass the egg covering bc it was just yolk and clear stuff this morning...unless someone ate the shell part.