Thin eggshells, Calcium bumps on eggs, Pale comb

[Fancychooklady]

Phosphorous and calcium are important for egg production. Calcium carbonate is the most easily absorbed. Your other hens ascites is more than likely the result of internal laying. You need to address the calcium shortfall or as stated, you risk the egg shells breaking high up in the egg chamber. The pale comb could be a circulatory problem or parasites , I agree with the others, treat them for internal and external parasites. Remember that for best results both applications need to be repeated in 10 days.

http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/calcium-the-key-to-beautiful-eggs-and-healthy-hens/


Manganese and D3 deficiency also result in poor eggshell quality.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html

 

[EmeraldSkye]

OK, here's the latest on Lucille:

The vet found no mites or lice on her. I also went outside at night with a flashlight to look for the coop-dwelling night-time blood-suckers and found none.

The vet did a fecal test and it was negative for parasites.

The vet drew blood. She is "profoundly anemic" but all other tests came back normal. Now to find a reason for the anemia she suggested drawing more blood to send to the State for a "Poultry Panel" which looks for infectious diseases. She suspects a viral infection of some sort and maybe the state blood panel will confirm that or rule it out. When the blood is drawn she will repeat the CBC to get a new red blood cell count. I think her comb is looking less pale than it was a few days ago.

I hope we find some solutions for her. I took her to the vet because of the paper-thin eggshells and the anemia was discovered. If it's related I hope she can get better. Her energy seems fine, she has a robust appetite. She is cute and doesn't mind being held/cuddled!

I'll keep you guys posted. I don't expect the state poultry panel results until sometime next week.

 

[subhanalah]

Did the vet do a skin scraping?
Some mites are microscopic and you can't see them. This is me being optimistic that it isn't something more serious.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Some of the blood sucking mites are so minute that they cannot be seen without a microscope.
If your vet isn't an avian vet it may be worth printing this information off for him.

http://parasitipedia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2540&Itemid=2816

 

[Fancychooklady]

Then there is CAV.

http://www.chicken-anemia.com/disease/chicken-infectious-anemia.asp

 

[EmeraldSkye]

My vet is an avian vet.

 

[casportpony]

Fecal floats can give false negatives. If she were mine I would de-worm her with Safeguard and give her an oral calcium supplement. I'd also dust for mites and lice even if I couldn't see any.

-Kathy

 

[Fancychooklady]

My vet is an avian vet.

In that case he should be well aware of the minuscule mites.