Yolk peritonitis?

[ChickenMom74]

I have a year and a half old hen that has faithfully laid 5-6 eggs a week. She is on organic Purina layer pellets and has oyster shells available to get free choice but she has never really touched it. I noticed about three weeks ago that every 2nd to 3rd egg had a soft shell and would break. One actually broke as she was laying it and the shell was still sticking out of her vent. I got her cleaned up and she even laid a few more eggs after that. She hasn't laid any eggs in over a week now and her abdomen feels very squishy. Otherwise she is still eating, drinking, and acting completely normal. Her comb still looks bright red, eyes and nostrils are clear and no signs of labored breathing. From what I've read, if it is peritonitis or ascites there is really nothing I can do for her. Is there a chance that she can be treated or that it may be something else?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I noticed about three weeks ago that every 2nd to 3rd egg had a soft shell and would break. One actually broke as she was laying it and the shell was still sticking out of her vent. I got her cleaned up and she even laid a few more eggs after that. She hasn't laid any eggs in over a week now and her abdomen feels very squishy.

Her comb still looks bright red, eyes and nostrils are clear and no signs of labored breathing. From what I've read, if it is peritonitis or ascites there is really nothing I can do for her. Is there a chance that she can be treated or that it may be something else?

Was the egg similar to the link below?
I would give her some extra calcium for 3-5 days, 1/2 Caltrate. Direct dose her with poultry vitamins like Poultry Cell at 1cc per 3lbs of weight for a couple of days too.
Did the yolk and albumen (white) come out too? It would be up to you, but if she were mine and if there was a possibility that the contents of the egg leaked while it was being laid, I would give her some antibiotics as well. Baytril or Amoxicillin can be ordered online.

Go over her well, check for lice/mites and get a fecal float to check for worms.

Sadly, it's common in laying hens to develop reproductive problems. Let's hope this was glitch since she did lay a few eggs after the soft shell and she is now just taking a break, but it very well could be that she is in the beginning stages of Egg Yolk Peritonitis or is laying internally.

With mine, I will give treatment as described above and monitor them to make sure the crop is emptying overnight and that they are eating/drinking well and see how it goes.
It can be frustrating for sure.


https://hencam.com/henblog/2015/08/a-laying-glitch/

 

[ChickenMom74]

The yolk and the white part were actually laying in the sand beneath the roost, she didn't even go to the nest box. The part of the shell that I could see looked normal but when I pulled it out it was followed by a soft and collapsed portion. So it looked to me like it all came out. But I'll look into the antibiotics. Thank you