Pullet is laying 2 eggs in same sitting UPDATE page 4 Now Lethargic

[WingItRanch]

So she laid 2 eggs again on Friday. Yesterday no eggs. I'm just keeping an eye on her overall health at this point. It's crazy that the eggs are both large and hard shelled.

 

[TOMTE]

If it was a one time thing I might think she was somehow backed up... Is that a thing? Like maybe one of the eggs was "stuck" but was able to come out with the second egg. I don't know if that's possible but that's what crossed my mind.

It's happened 3(?) times now in a short period though... That's weird! Granted my girls haven't started laying yet and I don't have any prior experience with laying hens, so I could be way off base with any ideas/suggestions. I just like to think out loud

Maybe somebody could make a poll? For some data gathering. "Have your hens ever laid more than one egg at once?" And then invite discussion about what happened with said hens. Did they have ongoing reproductive issues? A shortened lifespan? What age were they when they started? Did they ever stop laying multiples? That could be helpful for you and others who might have the same issue!

 

[WingItRanch]

Good suggestion!

An update on my girl... she hasn't laid an egg since last Friday so over a week. She's acting 100% normal and I've checked her over real good. I don't think she's egg bound. I'm hoping she's "rebooting" and she'll regulate after her break. She's about 7.5 months old and all the others are laying normally.

 

[Finnie]

If she kept it up and remained seemingly healthy, I would be tempted to hatch her eggs and see if her daughters had the same trait. But if the double laying seemed like it was doing her harm, then I guess I wouldn’t try that experiment.

I imagine this is just a beginning layer’s glitch and she will settle into a more normal laying pattern soon.

 

[WingItRanch]

Another random update.... I just found out she's not a Blue Australorp. She's a Marans! I noticed very small spots on the feet that I didn't realize were feathers until this morning when I was looking her over. Called the farm I got her and they confirmed that had Blue Marans at the same time. Oops!

Now I'm even more surprised she's been such a proficient egg layer.

 

[WingItRanch]

UPDATE: not good. She hasn't laid in an egg in 3 weeks and I thought nothing of it. Figured she needed a break after repeatedly laying 2 eggs at once. She's been acting normally although I will say her comb has been looking paler for the last 2 weeks but she's got a blackish comb to begin with so it's hard to tell. She's been eating and drinking.

Yesterday I noticed a change. She went to "bed" early and roosted way before all the others. Then today after work I went to check on them and she seemed slow and lethargic. What really worried me is that she was getting picked on by all my other chickens. There is usually no bullying. She's also typically higher in the pecking order but she was basically cowering. It's obvious the others realize she's weak. I separated her and gave her water and mash and she had no interest. Tried all her favorite treats and she didn't want anything.

She's very thin. I checked her over last week and she felt healthy but today I feel she's lost so much weight.

Her vent looks fine. I'm confident she's not egg bound. Her crop feels empty. Her poo looks like water. Probably because she's refusing to eat.

Any advice? I'm wondering if this is a reproductive issue or maybe cancer.. given the past double egg laying.

 

[WingItRanch]

@Wyorp Rock do you think there's anything more I can do or is this a genetic reproduction issue?

I have no access to vets that will treat chickens..

 

[BigBlueHen53]

 

[bill3607]

UPDATE: not good. She hasn't laid in an egg in 3 weeks and I thought nothing of it. Figured she needed a break after repeatedly laying 2 eggs at once. She's been acting normally although I will say her comb has been looking paler for the last 2 weeks but she's got a blackish comb to begin with so it's hard to tell. She's been eating and drinking.

Yesterday I noticed a change. She went to "bed" early and roosted way before all the others. Then today after work I went to check on them and she seemed slow and lethargic. What really worried me is that she was getting picked on by all my other chickens. There is usually no bullying. She's also typically higher in the pecking order but she was basically cowering. It's obvious the others realize she's weak. I separated her and gave her water and mash and she had no interest. Tried all her favorite treats and she didn't want anything.

She's very thin. I checked her over last week and she felt healthy but today I feel she's lost so much weight.

Her vent looks fine. I'm confident she's not egg bound. Her crop feels empty. Her poo looks like water. Probably because she's refusing to eat.

Any advice? I'm wondering if this is a reproductive issue or maybe cancer.. given the past double egg laying.

Sorry to hear that. I really thought it would be just a pullet thing and would work itself out. Assuming what is wrong with her now is related to the weird laying.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

UPDATE: not good. She hasn't laid in an egg in 3 weeks and I thought nothing of it. Figured she needed a break after repeatedly laying 2 eggs at once. She's been acting normally although I will say her comb has been looking paler for the last 2 weeks but she's got a blackish comb to begin with so it's hard to tell. She's been eating and drinking.

Photos of her and her poop?

I'd get Calcium Citrate+D3 into her now (asap), then once daily for a week.

I'd also get some electrolytes or sugar water into her (1tsp sugar to 1cup water). Get her hydrated, then offer her something to eat.

I don't know what's going on with her, could be something genetic or early reproductive issues...
All you can do is offer supportive care and she if she comes through this.