Surfnirvana Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Hi there Last week I noticed some egg white coming out of Rose's vent. I picked her up and took her into the kitchen for a better look. I saw some soft egg shell coming out of her vent, so gently pulled it - it was quite long. Then I stuck her in a washing up bowl of warm water and washed her bottom feathers (which were rather goey). I then gave her a blow dry with the hairdryer (she seemed to like this!) and put her back in her pen, looking beautiful, she was so much happier. However, today, when I was doing the daily poo clear from their trays, I noticed a broken egg with only half of the shel,l which was soft, in the tray. I looked at Rose and she was all hunched over. So I did the same thing and brought her into the kitchen. I retrieved a small piece of shel from her ventl, but couldn't feel anything else. After a gentle "wash and blow dry" I put her back. She's been quiet all day, although has been eating and drinking, and before she went to bed she did another watery poo and then jumped up the ladder to bed. I'm worried that there is still eggshell inside her that she can't expel, which is making her strain all the time and feel under the weather. Is there anything else I can do, as I don't want it to become infected? I would be grateful for any advice. Thanks so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 If it was me I would feel inside her to remove any bits of shell. You need to be really clean about it and use some lubricant. To help her expel the softies you can give calcium and vit D (which helps absorb and use the calcium). I've used cod liver oil and limestone flour from horse food place just a teaspoon of flour and dollop of oil in a grub. The other way is liquid like ZolcalD which you give for a week. They pick up pretty quick when they've got rid of the egg but danger is if it's not all expelled it can cause infection. Hope she picks up. Pigeon throws these occasionally but has responded to the odd course of calcium and I cut down on treats and give her broccoli. Silly chickens Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfnirvana Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks Plum I will check her out again tomorrow and if she is still under the weather, I'll give her a bit more of a lubricated investivation. Will get some more ZolcalD, and also limestone flour. They already have cod liver oil and I'll cut down on their "treats" to see if that helps (they wont be happy about that though!) Thanks again and I'll let you know how she gets on - fingers crossed.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 do they have access to mix grit with oyster shell in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfnirvana Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 Yes they have oyster shell in their run, poultry spice most days mixed with their food, they also have an old tin bath which I put some play sand in for them mixed with compost for their dust bath, but they seem to eat most of it! They have just finished the "great moult" so I think that has taken it out of them a bit. I did use some ZolcalD at the back end of last year to help them, so I'll get some more of that. Rose is still under the weather - all hunched up and at the back of her run. She did have some food this morning and water, but have had to go to work and leave them today. I've phoned the vets and he's going to give me a ring back - hopefully he might be able to fit me in later or tomorrow morning. Thanks for your advice - I'll keep you posted. L x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfnirvana Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 Rose was still hunched over this morning, and didn't look very happy. We have a fantastic vet - Jason at Woods Vetinary Group in Gloucester, who is especially brilliant with chickens and he was able to see us this afternoon. He checked her over thoroughly. She had a slightly raised temperature and is underweight. From what I told him he diagnosed her with peritonitis. It is nothing to do with her calcium levels, but more likely she had a virus of some sort that has led to this. She is now on antibiotics - twice a day for the next 3 weeks! I gave her the first dose in a syringe and she has already perked up! I fed her some scrambled egg too, which she loved, to help build her up a bit. I have my fingers crossed that it has been caught in time, so that she can make a good recovery. xxxxxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Poor Rose, glad the vet was able to help. Keep my fingers crossed for you and her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
