Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[karencopas]

hi all,

today my 2 year old goldline-ginger rogers has something coming out of her bottom? or I believe the proper term may be vent? we keep 2 chickens as pets we have an egg most days, sometimes 2 and the chickens lead a happy life we feel; running freely round our garden or in their eglu and run. lately ginger hasn't been laying as frequently as she once did but we thought with the weather and not as many hours of daylight this may be why and we were not concerned. today she has laid an egg and now has something hanging out that I'm sure shouldn't be there? at the moment she is happily running around the garden with her mate blackberry crumble acting as if everything is ok.

can anybody give me some advice please?

many thanks

[sparkysmum]

Didn't want to read and run, but not sure. Certain someone more knowledgeable will come along. Fingers crossed for her. Ax

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Can you catch her and have a closer look? It sounds like a prolapse but might be a bit of egg membrane or shell.

[Beantree]

Sounds as though it could be a prolapse Karencopas. Where the vent inner comes out with the egg. If that is the case re-insert the prolapse carefully using a well lubricated clean finger (vaseline will do). If you have anusol apply a tiny amount to the vent area as well, once a day. Best results are if you keep your finger in the vent for several minutes and let natural muscle contractions put it into the correct place. If it comes out again when she poos (very likely) re-insert it. You may have to do this repeatedly for days. Now you need to make sure she stops laying for at least two weeks. That means immediately switching to a low protein diet and I use wheat. There is a problem that the other chicken may peck at it the prolapse and cause irreversible damage, so they are best separated.

 

There is a good chance of recovery, the important thing is patience. I nearly gave up on a hen (Elisa) after 3 days. That was a year ago and she repays me with a big egg almost every day now.

[karencopas]

hi, thank you all for your speedy replies I will try to catch her and have a look she is a bit messy around that area which is unusual so should I give the area a soak first?

if I separate them can they still fr together if we are here to keep an eye? will be tricky to find somewhere to keep ginger but I will go and see if I can find a carrier or something its just the eglus are so safe I worry about her will blackberry be ok without her and how long do you suggest for separation, until its not visible?

sorry for so many questions I feel fairly knowledgeable about dogs having had them for years but chooks are proving more tricky today!

many thanks

[Beantree]

You are going to have to examine the area very closely Karencopas, so very careful washing is a good idea. It may be remnants of another egg and not a prolapse. She could stay with Blackberry if you are watching carefully. There is the problem of upset if they are separated. They can both go on the same low protein diet if necessary.

 

If it is egg remnants they must be removed very carefully indeed to avoid causing a prolapse and any broken shell causing internal injury, which may then get infected. I'll log in during the Rugby for any news you may have.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Great advice from Beantree . I've successfully treated a couple of prolapses so don't despair if it is that. As BT says, patience is the key. I've also read that sprinkling sugar on a prolapse helps to reduce swelling (don't ask me how!).

[karencopas]

thank you very much, I'm waiting for my husband to get home before I do anything as I am quite worried about doing anything by myself and am also worried it will be distressing for ginger while she seems oblivious and is enjoying the sunshine I think its ok to hang on?? I will def log on later with an update thanks again

[Ain't Nobody Here]

In my experience they don't find it distressing at all, so don't worry . I brought mine indoors for a cuddle (with a towel on my lap!) and held the prolapse in for as long as I could. You'll feel the pulsing of the vent trying to push it out but just keep light pressure on it.

[karencopas]

hi right we've done as advised!! she keeps doing little poos is that normal? I need to read up on chicken anatomy!!

it did all go back up and at some points my husband felt she was pulling it in but for the most part he felt she was pushing against him and kept doing little poos. after holding it in for several minutes I popped her into a crate she did a poo and some came out again so now looks very messy do we clean the poo off before we ease it in again? what a learning curve!!!

[Egluntyne]

There is some advice here from the FAQ section.

 

For now I would keep her in a darkened crate, on minimal rations to slow down her laying, and it might go back with assistance. I'd take her to a vet tomorrow if I were you.

[Beantree]

Just keep pushing it back in and holding it there Karencopas. Don't worry about cleaning the poos. Little poos are great as they won't strain things.

[karencopas]

will do beantree!! thanks for all your help and encouragement am feeling quite positive

ginger rogers is comfty in the garage we've made her a nice little house so fingers crossed

will update tomorrow, bye for now

[miller30]

I find honey syringed into the vent is great as the sugar helps the swelling shrink leanne

[The Dogmother]

For now I would keep her in a darkened crate, on minimal rations to slow down her laying, and it might go back with assistance. I'd take her to a vet tomorrow if I were you.

 

Agreed.

 

Depending on the size of the prolapse, they don't always stay in and you can be fighting a losing battle.

[karencopas]

Hi all,

Today ginger has layer a very big egg we were gutted and feel for her the egg is bloody on the shell but I suppose this is to be expected? That aside she is her usual chirpy self she is eating and drinking which I'm taking as a good sign. We have applied some germoloids triple action cream which I am hoping will give her a bit of pain relief as well as maybe shrink the prolapse.

Thanks for the honey syringe tip I surely must be able to find a syringe and give that a go.

I am in luton, beds can anyone recommend a good chicken vet? My vet is good so am happy to go there but thought worth asking and would the vet prescribe antibiotics to help ginger?

Thanks very much everyone for all your help

[Beantree]

Unfortunately Karencopas they will keep laying and that undoes your hard work. That's why it is important to stop them laying ASAP by immediately reducing the protein in the diet. Back to the patience. Just keep at it. The vet may prescribe antibiotics. Whilst they will do nothing but protect against secondary infection they have the big advantage in this case of wrecking the digestive flora and that will certainly stop the laying immediately. Can't think why I didn't think of that before?

[Egluntyne]

Keeping her in a darkened crate will help slow down her laying.

[The Dogmother]

My vet also recommends taking them off solids for 24 hours, giving just water with a little tonic in it, then introducing just wheat. Bung a couple of pot eggs under her and see if you can get her to go broody.

[keyhole kate]

Hi I am in Hemel

There is a very good poultry vet in St Albans or Watford

Hertfordshire

Heath Lodge Veterinary Hospital (Mr.Dean knows his poultry)

St.Bernard's Road

St Albans

AL3 5RA

01727 835294

 

Park Veterinary Centre,

256 Cassiobury Drive

Watford

WD17 3PA

Tel.01923 818681

 

Keep us posted x

[karencopas]

Hi all,

Another update on ginger rogers she's been in the garage since Sunday and has only had wheat and water but today there was another egg!! Thankfully smaller than they have previously been and I'm hoping that will be it.

We took her to the vet tonight and she is now wearing a lovely green bandage and is going to spend the day there tomorrow so they can keep an eye on her as we'll all be at work am still hopeful she will recover but am keeping fingers crossed

P.s hoped to post a pic of ginger with her bandage but don't know how!!

[keyhole kate]

Fingers crossed for gingers speedy recovery

[karencopas]

Hi keyhole Kate,

I have tried to send you a message it says sent but is showing as still in my outbox so am a bit confused

Can you let me know if you have received it please?

Many thanks

[Purplemaniacs]

I think the message stays in your outbox until the person it is sent to goes on the forum and collects it.

 

Chrissie