rightlass Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 (edited) Bet my black rock of 6 days. Has been laying small 35-40g eggs since arrival. Today she has laid a big egg, not weighed it yet but it is much, much bigger. However, she seems very subdued, just kind of like stood still and not grubbing around like normal and I noticed what I thought was a blood streaked poo.... not 100% about that though. Hope this doesnt sound daft but is it normal for them to be subdued after laying their first big egg. any advice appreciated. Edited September 26, 2009 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Hello - I wouldn't worry too much. 35-40g eggs aren't terribly big, so it may be that the one she has just laid will turn out to be normal for her, particularly if she is young and just started laying. If the egg she's just laid was huge and turns out not to be normal for her then its not unusual for them to feel a bit exhausted/what was that all about? Sometimes birds expel gut lining in their poo which looks reddy/pinky jelly like. If it was really blood then you do need to keep an eye out, but again it might just be an unusual happening caused by a big egg. My advice would be to watch and wait over the next few days, make sure she has food and especially water and if necessary (ie she's not eating her pellets/mash) give her whatever she likes to eat most, particularly moist food like grapes/cucumber. HTH you a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 I agree, it shouldn't be anything to worry about . There may well have been a bit of blood but as long as it's a one off it should be fine. Just keep an eye on her and see what her next egg is like . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Big Red started off with a 70 gram egg a double yolkier back in April she's now expert in laying 100 gram double yolkiers layer 2 or 3 a week takes her about 10mins never shows an sign of discomfort. If she has a softie or 2 on the way she's as miserable as sin for as long as it takes to lay them then within 15 mins its as if nothing happened as for the poo have a look here:- http://chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rightlass Posted September 24, 2009 Author Share Posted September 24, 2009 Re poo: Have checked the pics and it looked like intestinal lining..so thats ok. Still seems awfully quiet, even refused her dried mealworms ..much to the delight of the others. Will see how she is tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janty Posted September 25, 2009 Share Posted September 25, 2009 Just don't do what I did. About 4 months into chicken keeping, Sporty Spice was sitting all huddled underneath the trampoline. Her backside was about three times it's normal size. I didn't go to check the eggs...we checked her for a prolapse, etc. then rushed her to the vets. It wasn't until later that we found the huge egg streaked with blood and put two and two together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rightlass Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 UPDATE..... Well 2 days on and she isnt any better. She hasnt laid since the big egg, which was a double yolker. She is very quiet, standing with eyes closed at times...cant tempt her with treats etc. I can definitely feel an egg, and she has been thrusting as if she wants to lay... but cant. Her poo is a small amount of water with just a bit of white in it. I have done the 30 minute bath about 2 hours ago and lubricated her vent but to no avail as yet. Any more suggestions. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Have you checked a number of threads about egg binding - I know there are some very helpful stories on here. However, if you really feel things aren't working then a vet will get the egg out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarahsausage Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 It sounds very much like she is eggbound, check the forum for other threads about this. One of my girls was egg bound for 4 days and off her food, she was very depressed and unfortunately had to be put to sleep. Try adding limestone floor to their feed for extra calcium which helps produce better shells and thus (hopefully) prevent softies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Have a look at this article. **Click** TBH I think you need to take her to a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batcatz Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Hi, I used to boil and reboil a kettle under the cage when my cockateil hen was eggbound. The steam really helped her lay the egg. Not sure if this would work with a hen? Worth a try? Amanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rightlass Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 Another update: Today she seems much, much brighter ...mingling with the others, grubbing about... generally much happier and normal. However, she still hasnt laid...and she is eating a lot of grit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
