Vent oozing clear liquid!

[CreeksEndChix]

I have a 1 yr old easter egger who has been acting & laying fine until a week ago. We were away for a few days and came back yesterday to her with a bald bum & oozing vent. The vent is constantly dripping a clear liquid - like egg whites - and sometimes a little yellow or white. When she goes to poop it is just the clear liquid. Last night, she pooped almost an entire egg's worth blob of egg white. We couldn't feel anything like an egg in her. They have an oyster shell feeder in their coop. We've separated her in a dog crate, given a calcium citrate tablet early today and did a 30 minute epsom salt soak. Still oozing. I don't think she's really eating - just acting like it - although she still has good weight on her. Yesterday, she seemed to be really thirsty when we put her in the crate but not today. Not sure what else to do! Any idea what this could be & what to do? Full disclosure - we've had 3 from her batch (from TSC) die from what we've assumed was Marek's in the last 2 months. However, they all had paralysis & she has none.

 

[nuthatched]

What do you feed your birds?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does her lower belly seem enlarged? She may have had an egg break inside, and she could have been pecked and defeathered about the vent before or after. Is there any signs that she had a prolapse? Vent pecking can lead to a damaged vent. Has she had any laying problems in the past, or have you seen any soft or shell-less eggs? I would repeat the calcium in 24 hours and you can give it up to a total of 7 days. Sorry about your flock being positive for Mareks.

 

[CreeksEndChix]

Does her lower belly seem enlarged? She may have had an egg break inside, and she could have been pecked and defeathered about the vent before or after. Is there any signs that she had a prolapse? Vent pecking can lead to a damaged vent. Has she had any laying problems in the past, or have you seen any soft or shell-less eggs? I would repeat the calcium in 24 hours and you can give it up to a total of 7 days. Sorry about your flock being positive for Mareks.

Haven't noticed any other shell-less eggs recently - although there was one several months ago right after they all started laying. We just thought that could be getting calibrated. She's never had any issues before, was laying very regularly & the eggs haven't been abnormal at all. Belly doesn't seem distended or enlarged. I was thinking she defeathered herself because she does seem bothered by it and is kind of preening back there more than usual. However, the other ladies did come running over when they would notice the ooze. Will definitely keep up the calcium. How often should we do the epsom salt soak? Anything else we could do to help?

 

[CreeksEndChix]

What do you feed your birds?

They are fed an organic layer feed.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try to get some fluids into her. You can add a little water to her feed and into some scrambled egg to get more fluids into her. Note if she passes any shell membranes or other egg parts. I would soak her only once a day, but if she seems really weak skip it because it can push a weak hen over the edge.

 

[CreeksEndChix]

I would try to get some fluids into her. You can add a little water to her feed and into some scrambled egg to get more fluids into her. Note if she passes any shell membranes or other egg parts. I would soak her only once a day, but if she seems really weak skip it because it can push a weak hen over the edge.

Thank you! I appreciate the details! If she doesn’t pass anything but is still oozing in a couple days, is there a next step to try?

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know if it seems like egg matter or liquid poop.

 

[CreeksEndChix]

Let us know if it seems like egg matter or liquid poop.

We have progress! This morning she had a shell-less egg or membrane in the crate. She ate a scrambled egg & seemed in good spirits. When I get home this evening, I will give her another calcium tab. Should I soak her again?

 

[Eggcessive]

Great news. No, I would not soak her, but just keep her vent area clean and give the calcium for a total of 7 days.