Vet is stumped! Why are my hens having so much trouble??

[MissChick@dee]

I agree 21... poor woman looks like she’s got a few problems going on. Besides
Softies one egg might be lash. More information to come after she cuts it so we can see. See photo #1

 

[21hens-incharge]

Are these hatchery sourced birds? Pick a brand of feed and stick with it, chickens don’t like change. Offer oyster shell on the side.

Good question. I personally have had a few hatchery birds that never put shells on the eggs. Interesting that mine were Easter Eggers. Total dud breed for me.

I am curious what brand layer feed they are currently on.

 

[GumBranchChick]

I’m going to try to answer all questions so far in one shot. But first let me just say thank you!! I have kept this blob in the fridge for weeks bc it was so weird I knew it might be important. Everyone else laughed at me! And now I’m glad I kept it!

I will try a different oyster shell I had not thought of that! My chickens always think the grass is greener when it comes to food. They loved pellets until it’s all they had. Then they loved crumbles when I went back. Such divas!

Salpingitis Ive never heard of but I’ll definitely start to research it! Any advice about it?

About the soft egg shell, yes that’s what we’ve had plenty of. I’ve gotten too acquainted with that lately.

And here is the dissection photo!

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m going to try to answer all questions so far in one shot. But first let me just say thank you!! I have kept this blob in the fridge for weeks bc it was so weird I knew it might be important. Everyone else laughed at me! And now I’m glad I kept it!

I will try a different oyster shell I had not thought of that! My chickens always think the grass is greener when it comes to food. They loved pellets until it’s all they had. Then they loved crumbles when I went back. Such divas!

Salpingitis Ive never heard of but I’ll definitely start to research it! Any advice about it?

About the soft egg shell, yes that’s what we’ve had plenty of. I’ve gotten too acquainted with that lately.

And here is the dissection photo!
View attachment 1511972

Sweetie that’s a lash egg. You say it’s from your EE? Any others lay colored eggs ? You were very smart to keep it.

 

[GumBranchChick]

I missed a couple! They are from a local farmer. I was watching his farm a week after these guys hatched in November & the BR was getting pecked so bad I didn’t think she would make it so I brought her home & when he got back he asked if I wanted the others to keep her company. And I was attached at this point!!
I’ll go look at the feed brand it’s what the local coop sells...FRM I think is the name.
I just went a couple weeks ago & bought some purina layer crumble but haven’t started it yet bc I hated to waste the other.

 

[GumBranchChick]

Sweetie that’s a lash egg. You say it’s from your EE? Any others lay colored eggs ? You were very smart to keep it.

I’m so glad to know what it is!! My vets had no idea. It’s from my americauna.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

@KikisGirls @casportpony @azygous @Eggcessive can you guys help?

 

[GumBranchChick]

 

[MissChick@dee]

If you only have one EE then you know that’s her problem. I’m so sorry.
The soft shells can be corrected. Feed wise and a quality oyster shell.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That looks like egg lash.
Not sure if that's treatable. The eggsperts have already been tagged so should be along shortly.


One thing mine really like is wet mash. I wet the feed in a container in my kitchen and let it sit for 15 minutes to absorb the water.
Mine ignore treats or scratch until they all have had a go at the mash. Seriously, it works like crazy to get them to eat the pellets just in moist form. It should be about the consistency of cooked oatmeal.