Reproductive Problems

[CrazyChickains]

One of our hens has had reproductive problems for around 2 months now. It started in February with her laying extra large eggs (104-110 grams) and then it seemed she would rotate between laying soft-shell or shell-less eggs. Well now she has just been laying only shell-less eggs. Before she lays a shell-less egg she gets uncomfortable and seems to be in pain but then after she lays her egg she goes back to normal. Lately though she has seemed extra uncomfortable. And this morning when I checked the nesting boxes one had egg white, yolk, and a small spot of blood, no membrane or shell. We have tried calcium citrate with d3 but it didn't seem to help her. She is the only Hen acting off, we believe she is a barnyard mix (possibly buff Orpington or some sort of red sexlink). She and the other chickens eat starter grower 20% crumble, occasional black soldier fly larvae, 24/7 access to grit and oyster shell. Occasional kitchen scraps (though we haven't given them many scraps lately because of these things) We clean their waterer around every other day. She is 1.5 years old.
(This picture is from last year)

 

[CrazyChickains]

I would like to add that until February she was laying normal eggs

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

I’m so sorry to hear about your poor baby!
It sounds to me like she has a calcium deficiency. Lack of calcium not only causes soft shelled eggs, but also muscle spasms and extreme discomfort while laying.
Are you feeding oyster shells?

 

[CrazyChickains]

I’m so sorry to hear about your poor baby!
It sounds to me like she has a calcium deficiency. Lack of calcium not only causes soft shelled eggs, but also muscle spasms and extreme discomfort while laying.
Are you feeding oyster shells?

Yes she has 24/7 access to oyster shell. I have considered calcium deficiency but the other hens are completely fine and we gave her calcium citrate with d3 supplements for a week and it didn't harden her shells at all.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

Yes she has 24/7 access to oyster shell. I have considered calcium deficiency but the other hens are completely fine and we gave her calcium citrate with d3 supplements for a week and it didn't harden her shells at all.

Could she have a calcium blockage?

 

[CrazyChickains]

Could she have a calcium blockage?

I'm not sure, I haven't heard of that? Is that when the calcium doesn't absorb properly?

 

[CrazyChickains]

It looks like she pooped green, yellow, white and clear liquid last night. She still isn't feeling good this morning.

 

[TheChickenGirl16]

I'm not sure, I haven't heard of that? Is that when the calcium doesn't absorb properly?

I think it might be where the shell glands,(forgive me for not knowing the anatomy),are inflamed, and the body cannot release the calcium needed to form the shell. I hope someone comes on who knows what they are talking about.

From the way you described her poop, it sounds like she might have an infection of some sort.

 

[Bawkbok]

She looks like a Red Sex Link, possibly a Golden Comet. She looks exactly like our GC. As a production breed, they are prone to reproductive issues. Her poop doesn't sound good. There is unfortunately not much you can do for reproductive issues, if that is what she has. Have you felt her belly under her vent? Is it hard and enlarged? Soft and squishy like a water balloon?

Calcium Citrate with D3 didn't help our RSL either. We gave it to her on and off all her life. No joy. Only illness and issues.

I'm sorry your girl is feeling icky - hope she recovers.

Hoping others with more experience can offer you some useful suggestions.

 

[CrazyChickains]

Thank you both for your replies. We found a vet to take her to and the vet says she thinks it's peritonitis. We were prescribed antibiotics and we will see what happens.