wendor Posted March 8, 2012 Share Posted March 8, 2012 Hi, I have a Australorp Bantam with discharge from her vent. It's not smelly, it's rather like egg white and it's been sticking to her black feathers. She doesn't seem to be pooing just oozing this discharge when she tries.I noticed yesterday that straw was sticking on her feathers and just thought she hadn't shaken it off. But today there was an obvious eggy sticky trail of discharge on her could someone advise me on best action please? I've just bathed her bottom in a warm bowl of water, wiped her feathers with kitchen towel and dried her off with hairdryer. I popped on some plastic gloves,with vaseline and felt inside her vent a little as I wondered if she is blocked up with an egg or poo. Couldn't feel anything solid just released some more egg white like discharge. She is sitting in the nesting box currently. She is not as lively as normal not charging around . What should I do next, I've been searching internet for advice, but unsure how to proceed. We have had her 8 weeks, not sure if she has produced her first egg yet. She was between 16 -20 week pullet when we bought her. Will she be OK? Thanks in advance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 She could have another egg coming behind the broken one so that will help clear anything thats left and she may pass it without help but I would try again with the examination and sweep around a bit higher. It's probably soft membrane rather than shell so not so easy to feel, you may see a bit protruding. High risk of infection so I spray with purple spray before and after examining. The bathing you've given her helps her relax and pass debris. Just notice you posted yesterday so hope she's clear now but if she's not over it yet the vet can give injections and assist to remove any egg. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thank you so much for replying Plum with this advice . I had a dread that when I opened the Omlet door this morning only 2 hens would emerge...but Iris, my young Australorp was out 2nd! I was up extra early as couldn't sleep. I tried the warm bath for half an hour again yesterday afternoon, wrapped her up in a towel and used hairdryer to dry her feathers. She was so good! She passed some more whitish, yellow fluid in the water and a bit more when drying her. So it seemed to relax her. Shes been pushing but only fluid coming out. I will repeat this bath treatment now, get my gloves on and vaseline or KY them and try and help her more. Yesterday I don't think I checked properly or fully enough as I didn't want to hurt her or make her more uncomfortable. After this I will try and find an avian vet in Bath area...anyone know of one? I was searching internet yesterday. I don't have purple spray, but will try and get some. She's is strong and young so I hope she makes it! Her eye's look bright, and comb lovely and red, but she's fluffed up, not moving around much and swollen between her legs. Off to help her again now!! Thanks Buff Sussex Bantam Dorothy RIP 2011, Buff Sussex Bantam Wendy, Buff Sussex Bantam Evelyn Australorp Bantam Iris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The fact that she is swollen between her legs is a worry - I would take her to a vet sooner rather than later tbh. There is a list of recommended vets somewhere on the forum, and according to Practical Poultry magazine there is a poultry- friendly vet in Bath at Silva House Veterinary Group Tel 01761 413341. I hope she will be ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Thanks, I have booked her in to see a vet who sees chickens. Can't see her until 5pm today. Hoping all goes well. I submerged her vent in warm relaxing water for half an hour earlier as yesterday. Probed vent a bit with vaseline finger, some poo and yellow watery fluid spurted out, dried her off again and let her recover. She wasn't keen when I went in further.. still a spirited hen...which is good! Hoping the vet trip will be the answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Just returned from vet, Iris is egg bound, she has 2 eggs (her first ever) that she's been trying to lay poor thing! Lovely vet is keeping her in for a couple of hours. They are going to lubricate her, give her anti-inflammatory medicine and some pain relief and see if she can pass the eggs. She had a little cough/sneeze when I first bought her, the vet said this might have contributed to her egg bound state as the ovaries and respiratory area are close together. Not sure if this is going to end well or not... but I am trying my best for her. Hope writing it up here might help someone else in similar situation. I never been to a vet before, very impressed. They see about 3 hens every fortnight now and seemed to know what they are doing.So if someone in Bath area needs a chicken vet then Bath Veterinary Centre on Wellsway seem very professional , I saw Holly Mitchell. She's approved by Chicken Vet website. Buff Sussex Bantam, Dorothy (2009 - 2011 RIP), Buff Sussex Bantam, Wendy 2009 Buff Sussex Bantam, Evelyn 2011 Black Austalorp Bantam. Iris 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 One of mine started off her laying career like this together with a prolapse and after antibiotics, anti inflamatories and a lot of nursing she went on to lay normal eggs without further trouble. So there is hope for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 Poor little Iris However, it sounds as if you have found a good vet there, and Plum's experience is encouraging. Let us know how she gets on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 Vet just rang me, they are going to give more injections. If she has passed egg by 10.30 pm I can probably collect her. If not they are going to keep her in overnight. If she hasn't laid anything by tomorrow morning it's recommended to put her to sleep.They could operate to remove egg, but all starts getting very very pricey and she may run straight into same problem again. They can't feel the egg up her vent, just membranes, but can tell it's sitting above these. Oh dear...poor little hen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 So sorry, I understand that after inflamation they can get strictures so they can't pass the egg. A friend lost hers that way. Keeping my fingers crossed for her though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hi Wendor How is your hen this morning? Saw your post & was going to suggest that vet in Bath as I used them last week for my under the weather chicken. Best wishes Gertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Hasn't ended happily I'm afraid. The overnight vet rang me this morning, Iris has strictures below the egg and although she has been pushing hasn't been able to pass her egg through these. Unlikely that she could ever lay an egg. They had given her another calcium injection to encourage pushing and extra anti inflammatory jab and pain relief. An operation with GA to remove egg would cost further £50 (gulp) and may not solve anything. Sadly they think it's kindest to put her to sleep. They are going to cremate her for me too as I can't bear to drive out and collect her corpse. Kind considerate care costing nearly £60 in all. My first ever vet trip, I was impressed with the care and professionalism, but very unaware of price. Consultation £18.50, injections and keeping her overnight further £20. Then putting her to sleep £15 and cremation £5. Expensive but she's out of pain now, I've done my best and couldn't afford or justify going further. Iris was a beautiful black Australorp bantam her feathers were coated iridescent green, giving her a glossy healthy shine. She was lively, incredibly inquisitive, social, strong. I will miss her dearly . It seems so strange just having my 2 hens in the garden, after 8 weeks with 3. I can't decide whether to replace Iris as I did with my first hen Dorothy who died or just stop with 2.. as I don't want to go through this again. It's heartbreaking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 So sorry, it is hard losing them. The times when it is hard makes the times when things are good even better. Give yourself a bit of time and you'll be able to look back at all the times she made you laugh. It is worth it, you did the best thing for her even though it's painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Very sorry to hear about Iris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendor Posted March 10, 2012 Author Share Posted March 10, 2012 Thanks Plum and Tweety. We've had a lot of tears this morning, it's incredible the bond you establish with them and sadness you experience when they die. We are trying to hold on to happy memories of Iris...it does help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gertie Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 Aw, very sorry to hear that. It's sad but you obviously did the best for her. I had one hen left that I had to introduce to 3 others but the lone hen was older & dominant so she could stand her ground. I was around for 2 weeks with a water pistol to watch & I put lots of distractions in the coop & places to escape. You could try introducing 2 more if you have the space, it's a bit fairer that way. All the best Gertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mollyripkim Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I'm really sorry you had such a sad ending but you did your very best for you. Hope it doesnt put you though as it is lovely when things go well and hopefully in time you will be able to smile at her memory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted March 10, 2012 Share Posted March 10, 2012 I'm so sorry to hear about Iris xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
