sarahphe Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 one of ous hens (myrtle) is not looking too good. we have just got home to find her standing leaning forward with her tail sticking up. she is all puffed up and keeps closing her eyes. anyone got any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Sounds as if she might be trying to lay a soft egg. I'd put her on a hot waterbottle, and give her a calcium supplement if you have one to hand and see if it helps. Has she been wormed lately? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahphe Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Thanx for the reply egluntine, we dont have any calcium on hand and dont know if she'll sit in a box with a water bottle but i may try to attempt it lol. i might sound daft but what is a soft egg? obviosuly its an egg with a soft shell but why would this cause her to behave like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 Because they are soft, the muscular contractions can't shift the eggs along the oviduct efficiently, so it causes cramping type discomfort. Calcium will firm up the shells and increase the strength of the contractions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahphe Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 thanx again for the reply. you were spot on with your diagnosis! Myrtle laid an egg without a shell late last night and is fine again this morning. Sarah x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted August 26, 2009 Share Posted August 26, 2009 Good to hear that she has perked up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
