Chicken bald back

[Cindig]

I'll try to include what might be relevant. On Sunday, Priscilla spent quite a bit of time going into the coop, rearranging the bedding and coming back out again making lots of complaining noises. Was expecting an egg but none appeared. Later in the day she seemed fine again. Monday morning she was slow to appear out of the coop and slow to go to feeder, but eventually did. Seemed fine in the evening. This morning (Tuesday) I was really worried about her - found her standing in the nest box (where she sleeps), she eventually made her way to the door and spent ages standing there, all puffed up like a football. Ages later she walked part way down the ladder, expelled some clear but gloopy liquid (occurred to me later that it was not entirely dissimilar to egg white), and went back in the coop. By the time I left for work she was still there, had not come down for food. Spent my time at work worrying about her!

 

I came home to a perfectly happy and very alert hen. So whatever was bothering her appears to have resolved itself. I poo-picked, and only just as I was finishing did I notice a few tiny fragments of eggshell in the corner of the run. When the girls first arrived (10 days ago) they would lay anywhere, but for the last week all the eggs have been laid in the coop.

 

Is it possible that the egg collapsed inside her? I haven't seen any evidence of yolk. If so, should I worry about the possibility of infection? Any other suggestions? I've heard mention of clear gloop expulsions when they're stressed? (Or maybe she's just not a morning person )

 

I'm just hoping that if there was a broken egg in the run, they will not associate it will the nice smooth ovals they lay in the coop. Hopefully all will be well now, but would love to know what's been going on if possible.

[Beantree]

It does sometimes happen Cindig, an egg breaks whilst being laid, particularly large ones. By the sounds of it she couldn't expel a very large egg and it has broken in the process. Usually they expel the shell without a problem, but sometimes the shell gets trapped inside the vent and when expelled causes a prolapse. Sometimes the egg shell cuts the inside of the vent and the result is an infection. You will need to keep a close eye on her to make sure there isn't a problem. I'd start by picking her up and checking her vent.

[Olly]

It's also possible that it was a soft (unshelled) egg, and you only saw the 'white' part of it - laying a softie is not uncommon and it can make them look very off-colour for a while, they usually perk up as soon as it has been expelled. I would keep an eye on her as said, but the chances are that it was a one-off.

[Cindig]

Thank you so much for the helpful advice!

She was first out this morning... at least until Digger barged past her, so a happy chicken again now.

When you say to check the vent, I assume you aren't just referring to an external examination are you? This chicken keeping is turning out to be so much more glamorous than I imagined. She is not very used to being handled at the moment and I don't want to overly stress her, so I'll see what I can do.

[Beantree]

External check only Cindig, just to make sure there is no visible injury.

 

If you think that's an unpleasant job wait until you have to wash poo covered bottoms in Summer to prevent fly strike!

[gavclojak]

External check only Cindig, just to make sure there is no visible injury.

 

If you think that's an unpleasant job wait until you have to wash poo covered bottoms in Summer to prevent fly strike!

 

Yep beantree that's the worst, but the thought of flystrike alone sends me running for the shampoo and hairdryer

[Orangediva]

External check only Cindig, just to make sure there is no visible injury.

 

If you think that's an unpleasant job wait until you have to wash poo covered bottoms in Summer to prevent fly strike!

 

Oh I'm learning soooooo much from this forum .............thanks!

 

Cindig ( why does my iPad spell checker have such a problem with your name?!) I'm glad Priscilla is ok.

[Cindig]

Phew, I'm so glad the inspection is external only, as I'm sure Priscilla is too! All looks healthy.

 

Flystrike... huh? So much to learn...

 

Hi Orangediva! How is the clearing going? Wasn't that scheduled for around now?

[Cindig]

URGH I've just googled flystrike. I'm just glad I wasn't eating my lunch.

[Cindig]

As a child I once saw a sheep's bottom absolutely covered in live wriggling maggots. Couldn't eat rice or drink milk for months and months...

 

(I'm sure this is not an uncommon sight for those with farming backgrounds)

[gavclojak]

URGH I've just googled flystrike. I'm just glad I wasn't eating my lunch.

 

Terrifying isn't it, and it can strike in a day or two, apparently it's quite common with rabbits too