blood red yolk, shell-less egg

[chickenmommava]

We have 6 red sex link hens, and they are just over 2 years old. These our our first chickens. When the weather warmed up this spring, they were laying consistently. We seemed to get 4-6 eggs a day. Then things changed. We started getting on average 3 eggs a day and frequently got shell-less eggs. I suspect one of the girls is laying the rubber eggs, but I am not sure. A couple of weeks ago, we got a weird meaty, leathery looking thing in the nesting box, I think it is called a "lash". Today, we got a shell-less egg with a bright red yolk. It looks like it has distinct blood vessels in it. They all seem to be alert and eating. No one acts sick. I have been thinking that it could be "chicken menopause". They have always been very productive, and I suspected since they were hybrids that maybe we were coming to the end of their productivity. Our girls are definitely pets. I am not so concerned that they lay. I just want them to be healthy. Any input on what may have caused this?

 

[kirmez]

My chicken did this also this morning but there was a soft shell at the side and no vessels visible. Se hasn't been laying lately, thought it was moulting related but she has laid a few white-only shell less eggs in the past few months so I'm guessing something is not right. I changed the food from layer mash to pellets but that hasn't improved the shells. Perhaps it is an age thing? I've had this chicken for about 2 years. I'm also hoping for some answers.

 

[terryg]

Sex-links do tend to end their laying days by the age of three. Their systems get depleted and you have to be very careful with diet. Often eliminating grain treats (scratch corn and bread) goes a long way to improving shell quality. But, if you got a "lash" then what you had was an egg that was stuck for awhile and became infected. She's lucky that she expelled it. Many hens die from impacted, infected eggs (people think this is "egg-bound" but it's a totally different issue.) So, make sure that your old hens are getting a good diet (I've written a post about that here http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2011/07/thin-shelled-eggs-old-hens-and-the-miracle-diet-cure/). You could try an antibiotic, but if she's fine otherwise, it's a judgement call whether that's the right thing to do.

 

[chickenmommava]

Thank you both for your input. I read the blog post about diet, and I will stop feeding grain treats. They eat a high quality feed, are offered free choice oyster shell, and get out to forage for a good portion of everyday. Do you think that occasional treats like kale and yogurt are okay or is it best just to avoid treats until their shells are normal? I honestly don't know if it was a lash or not, and I failed to take a picture. I am not really that knowledgeable. I found something similar pictured on this site: http://www.browneggblueegg.com/Article/ChristmasAlienEgg/ChristmasAlienEgg.html
She has had a bit of a messy bottom, and the skin on her bottom, under her vent was red (I'll have to check it again), maybe that indicates an infection?? Do you think that I should take her to a vet, for their input on the antibiotic?

 

[terryg]

A vet isn't going to do anything different than what you are doing. The photo you posted is of an infected, impacted egg that the hen managed to pass. I've done necropsies on hens that weren't so fortunate. Greens and yogurt are fine additions to the diet. Free-range and exercise and sunshine are good, too. An epsom salt bath can't hurt. See my post about that:http://www.hencam.com/henblog/2012/04/agnes-dark-comb/
I'd try diet and the bath before going to the antibiotics. You should see a positive change in her eggs in a few days. If not, the antibiotics are the next step.

 

[chickenmommava]

Okay, so we made the dietary changes and did the bath. They all seemed to be doing well after the dietary changes. We also started letting them range earlier in the day. We noticed a increase in egg laying and shell quality. But starting yesterday, she is lethargic. All the others seem fine. She seems to be eating and drinking at least a little but doesn't move around that much. This morning there was runny, yellowish, mucus-like stuff on the ground by her bum, and tonight there is much more. I guess antibiotics are next? This is new to me. Any recommendations as far as type, directions for use (other than on the package)? Anything else I should think about?

 

[chickenmommava]

I'm sad, she died last night. I wish I had had antibiotics on hand last night to give her.

 

[chicken vet girl]

My hen laid an blood egg just like the one pictured above. When I poked it there was yolk inside. She has been laying soft-shelled eggs (membrane only) for sometime now. I have been giving her a calcium supplement. She gets layer crumbles, grit, and oyster shell free-choice. Should I be concerned for her health?