poorly chook!!

[shadegrow]

One of the ladies came out of the coop very slowly this morning. She had eggshell hanging on her bum and was terribly messed up around the cloaca. Holding her & trying to remove the shell proved impossible by myself. By the time I got help the shell had disappeared. We sponged her bum down & noticed she looks red & swollen around the cloaca. She is pecking around but not a happy lady. I haven't seen her poo but one of them is putting some very loose stuff down am assuming it's her. She laid normally yesterday (Weds). The shell looked soft but as I say It had disappeared by the time I got round to a proper examination about (10 min.) What do we do if there is egg or any shell left in the oviduct? Tonight she is bedded down by herself away from the others not a good sign in my opinion.
Any suggestions ?

[RichmondHens]

Ooh, sounds like she may have a broken one inside her. She will need antibiotics to prevent infection so I would get her to a vet as she/he will be able to have a proper look inside her and hopefully clear out any bits left.

[frias]

This happens to one of my older ladies all the time. The vet advised standing her in a warm bowl of water and keep putting the water over the vent. Do this for at least half an hour. Alternatively hold the hen over hot steaming water but don't let her get burnt. It's amazing how quiet a hen is standing in water as usually I can't hold on for long. You can try getting more calcium into her so the shells are stronger. Limestone flour, crushed eggshell, nutrobal calcium suppliment (expensive).

[Polly Fouracre]

Poor dear, I hope all goes well for her.

[julesapple]

Poor dear, I hope all goes well for her.

My thoughts too...keep us posted Shadegrow!

Jules

[NSB]

I read somewhere you could do a internal to see if there is an egg blocked!!!

[MaureenHall]

I read somewhere you could do a internal to see if there is an egg blocked!!!

Yes you can, but quite honestly unless you know exactly what you're doing, I'd leave it to the vet. Try the warm water bathing treatment and perhaps (with a gloved finger) put a little vaseline just inside the vent to lubricate and perhaps stimulate the process. Keep an eye on her and on what sort of poos she's doing. I hope she's better soon xxx

[frias]

How is the patient now?

[shadegrow]

She seems much better today, happily pecking about. We may have had an egg off her but not sure. But overall seems almost back to her normal self luckily.