Unsecure chicken perches

[pipistrelle]

We have been getting softies (leathery shells) for a couple of weeks every few days, all normal eggs on remainder, I assumed it was Tikka who is about 2yrs getting a bit late in her laying days. This morning I got the softie out the poo tray and there was fresh blood on it So went to have a look at Tikka's vent and it was fine thought I'd check Korma's (Biryani lays distinct eggs) and IT'S KORMA...the baby!!!(about 1 yr) Around her vent is a bit dirty and in the quick glimpse I had I thought I saw a little sore (pimple size) on her vent. Couldn't give her the once over thoroughly as off to a hospital appt in a minute.

In herself she seems fine and is laying "normal" eggs regularly, eating, drinking and doing normal hen stuff.

 

What do I need to do...should I give her bottom a bath? I've put AVC and citricidal into the water they eat pellets with a treat of corn on the cob or broccoli on a hanger.

 

Any idea's what it could be and what to do first?

 

Thanks

[Chucky Mama]

If you are getting softies I would initially stop all treats and give good quality pellets or mash only. If free ranging you may want to reduce free ranging time to ensure a good uptake of pellets. You can add some crushed backed eggs shells, limestone flour and cod liver oil , or Zolcal D to the diet but don't over do the calcium. If I ever give it I only do so until the eggs are normal again. It is worth keeping around the vent area bathed clean (dry well afterwards. I would also be inclined to use a spray such as F10 which will keep is an antiseptic and will also prevent flystrike. Then fingers crossed and hope she returns to normal egg laying.

[pipistrelle]

Thanks, the softies aren't as frequent as her normal eggs , it's more the state of her vent that concerns me (hence putting it in clinic but has been moved) I've just had a better look at her vent, there are no maggots but some sores and what looks like hemorrhaging/bruising around the edge and the inside of vent. It could be peck marks but not sure as new to this.

They are on layers pellets and they have a few hours ranging in an outside run which is populated with chicken proof plants, they've eaten the grass. That's why they have some veg in the run, to provide some greens. They have access to grit with shell in the run.

 

Any ideas or advice welcome please...will try and get some F10 type spray too.

[pipistrelle]

She seems less her old self this afternoon, not moving around much

 

I'm going to give her rear end a bath, can I used purple spray on a vent or is it too irritating for the sensitive skin there?

[Plum]

It's fine to use purple spray on that area. She probably got pecked while laying. If she's off colour it could be another softie coming. I would keep an eye out for infection now though.

[pipistrelle]

Thanks Plum. I've just washed the vent area (first chicken bath for us both I think) There is a bruise on the outer vent, more worrying is about 1cm inside the vent is a sore that looks like a cluster of white matter... hoping it's not fly eggs, looks more thrush like..do chickens get fungal infections? So it would be ok to spray just in the vent?

[Plum]

Yes I have. It could just be a bit of sloughy material or urates They can get thrush, you will know it really stinks