sparkysmum Posted August 16, 2012 Share Posted August 16, 2012 I have mentioned on various threads that my light sussex Cheeky has never laid a single "normal" egg. So after trying various dietary supplements including Shell Max, limestone flour and shell improvers all to no effect, I decided a trip to the vets was in order. Saw the vet today who said that Cheeky was in fabulous condition and since all the other hens lay eggs with rock like shells ( I brought them so she could compare) then she could rule out diet and calcium deficiency as being a cause. She thinks that it is likely that Cheeky has an inflammatory condition of her oviduct and that shell is just not being laid down. She reckons that this may have been passed down to her from her mum if she had a respiratory condition at the time Cheeky was just an egg herself Apparently some viral respiratory conditions can effect other organs. Poor Cheeky. Although our vet is the local poultry expert she is going to consult with other poultry specialists around Scotland to see if we can come up with a definative diagnosis Hopefully then we will see if anything can be done medically to improve things or if I'll just have to "manage" her situation. Reckon I must have the best vet around Will update you once I've heard anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 That is really interesting - you have a super vet. Do let us know what happens. Its good to know incase future hens of mine do this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 Quick update. Combined wisdom is that Cheeky def has a prob with her shell gland and that this may be th result of her MUM having a respiratory infection when she was just an egg. However we are giving her a full course of tylan just in case she has some kind of infection. No one actually thinks she does. If this doesn't sort things outwe will just have to ride things out until she stops laying for the winter. Vets think that maybe having a break from laying just might sort things out but I'm not so sure. We have also discussed implants to stop her laying but at £60 every couple of months I'm not up for this. Whilst I'll try it all out I cant help feeling that Cheeky will be laying her softies for a long time to come. Will keep you updated. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottyJ1 Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Ahh bless her - I never knew things like that could happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 Poor Cheeky . Well done to you for trying to work out what the problem was, though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkysmum Posted October 13, 2012 Author Share Posted October 13, 2012 Well we decided to try Cheeky with 2 x Baytril just to see if there was an underlying infection but now she has stopped laying for the winter and is moulting. We shall just have to see what the spring brings. Perhaps the winter break will give her system a break and just maybe she will lay normal eggs in the spring However I have a feeling that this is just going to be the way she is. Alli x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselady Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Hi sparkysmum How interesting! I have the same problem with one of ours (see my recent thread on here for 'constant softies'. Took her to the vet on Saturday morning and he has diagnosed the same thing! I do recall her sneezing quite alot when we first got her (as a grower) back in June but she was never ill. He thinks its very possible that's when the infection started. He said she is in great condition otherwise and we also discussed the implant if necessary. The problem with Big Bird though is that she has been laying 2 softies a night and the odd hard shelled egg she does lay is usually a double yolker, so she seems to be releasing 2 at a time which is very unusual I believe. Probably because she is a commercial hybrid. As soon as we got back from the vets on Saturday morning, she rushed straight into the eglue and laid a perfect egg! She also layed yesterday too, albeit a large one. We can't eat them for a month though as she on antibiotics too. Will be interested to see how you get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 My black rock alternated between double yolkers and normal size for a few weeks a couple of months after she started laying - think it was her settling into a routine! Hope you both get the softies sorted. H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
