Help! Egg yolk looking poop.

[kamac27]

the past few days I’ve noticed some poop that looks like egg yolk in the roost tray. My chickens are 5 months old and all but a few were laying just fine. I know at least one of my buff orps is the culprit b/c I can see the poop on her vent feathers but it looks like there may be another pooping yellow since there’s too much yellow poop for just one chicken in multiple spots on the roost. My buff looked puffed up this morning and was moving a little slow. My research points to egg perontitis. Just want to get others opinions. This is my first time keeping chickens. They eat Purina flock grower with oyster shells on the side as well as scratch and snacks like kale.

 

[Saaniya]

Yes u are right seems EYP
If u noticed earlier u should start treating
You Must Take Her To Vet
Rarely this infection cured hope ur girl recover

 

[Trish1974]

The buff orp in my avatar passed from internal laying and/or EYP, and her poop looked liked scrambled eggs. She was also not moving much and was puffed up as you described. Have you felt her abdomen? Does it feel swollen? Even if you are lucky enough to have a vet that will see her it may only be a temporary fix. I am so sorry. Hopefully I am wrong.

 

[HuffleClaw]

@casportpony may also have some GREAT advice!
Good luck to you and your hens and I’m sorry!!

 

[kamac27]

Is there an over the counter antibiotic that I could maybe get at tractor supply? I don’t have any avian vets nearby.

 

[Trish1974]

@speckledhen also has experience with this. Maybe search through her threads. There is one titled "Olivia - RIP" that talks about internal laying and EYP.

 

[HuffleClaw]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/talked-to-vet-page-2-need-help-re-olivia.137080/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/update-6-29-rip-olivia.525411/#post-6696878

Just in case this helps....

 

[speckledhen]

Is there an over the counter antibiotic that I could maybe get at tractor supply? I don’t have any avian vets nearby.

Most likely it is Egg Yolk Peritonitis. She's pretty young for that, but it happens, especially in hatchery stock, I've found over the years. The problem is that there may be internal laying also happening and that is incurable. Antibiotics most likely will not help as this is a chronic condition and by the time you see a problem, it's far advanced. Usually, it begins around 2 years of age with production type hens, but can happen earlier. My original flock of hatchery girls began dropping right at 2 years old and one by one, they all went the same way except one, who took two long broody periods unlike the rest of her "sisters".

You can't get any water soluble antibiotics any longer as a backyard person. You may be able to get injectible penicillin, but it may do nothing for her. Been there more times than I care to remember. Now that all the hatchery hens are gone, I rarely ever deal with this anymore.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10.362422/

 

[kamac27]

Most likely it is Egg Yolk Peritonitis. She's pretty young for that, but it happens, especially in hatchery stock, I've found over the years. The problem is that there may be internal laying also happening and that is incurable. Antibiotics most likely will not help as this is a chronic condition and by the time you see a problem, it's far advanced. Usually, it begins around 2 years of age with production type hens, but can happen earlier. My original flock of hatchery girls began dropping right at 2 years old and one by one, they all went the same way except one, who took two long broody periods unlike the rest of her "sisters".

You can't get any water soluble antibiotics any longer as a backyard person. You may be able to get injectible penicillin, but it may do nothing for her. Been there more times than I care to remember. Now that all the hatchery hens are gone, I rarely ever deal with this anymore.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/drained-a-hens-abdomen-rest-in-peace-olivia-11-5-10.362422/

Thanks for the advice. If it comes to euthanization, what’s the best method that I can do myself? From all my research I’m afraid it’s going to come to this end unfortunately.

 

[casportpony]

Is there an over the counter antibiotic that I could maybe get at tractor supply? I don’t have any avian vets nearby.

All kinds of things can produce poop like that, including E. coli infections of the intestinal tract, possibly blackhead, reproductive tract infections and EYP. You could try seeing what your local feed stores have in the way of antibiotics in the cattle section and you could order something online.

If she were mine I would treat her for worms, coccidiosis and a bacterial infection. I would also provide supportive care by tube feeding fluids and baby bird food. It's a lot of work, but many an be saved by doing this. Let me know if this is something you would like more information on.

If you decide to euthanize I would suggest the broomstick method.