Vent Prolapse

[Pinda]

This is my first time here and I'm hoping that I may get some extra insight.I have a hen that is almost a year old and has been laying regularly since January. Three days ago she layed an egg without a shell. Yesterday she layed a huge egg with a defective shell. Then later in the day I noticed she was straining to deficate and I saw the prolapse. I've noticed feces on here vent feathers for a week or so, but unfortunately didn't take a closer look until yesterday (saturday). I've seen rectal prolapses in mammals before, but this has a hard "swelling" on the right side and feces comes out below that, if she strains real hard the left side comes out also, but is soft and mostly stays in. I have brought her in the house, cleaned her up, applied Prep H. I have treated 4 times so far and don't seem to be making any headway. I know it's not a great prognosis, but I have two questions....Any other pointers? and, Could a calcium deficiency cause this? I think she may be eating my ducks eggs.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I recently had a chicken that had a vent prolapse, so I treated as described here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/03/10/chicken-emergency/

Today, about 3 weeks later, she successfully laid an egg without any prolapse, and seems to be healed as decribed here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/03/28/update-on-chicken-emergency/

Don't know if this will help any, but hope it does. So sorry you're having this problem, it's upsetting.

 

[Pinda]

Thanks for the tips. I will change her diet some and keep her in the house this week. She may be a little better tonight.