[dollybird]

we have had 2 chickens with prolapse since we got them 3 months ago 1 went back in and no trouble since the other pops back out every couple of weeks but we put it back in easily she is stii laying every day  does anyone know why this is happening, we feed layers pelletts and scraps like bread veg fruit and cooked potatoes could we be feeding to many scraps, there eggs are quite big at the side of shop ones help what am i doing wrong. we have 6 chickens.

[joyfull]

What age were the ones who have had the problems when they started laying?
The trouble is if they start laying early they can be prone to problems and sometimes once they have had a problem it can keep recurring as the muscles may be weaker. The only thing to do is keep a close eye on her and make sure that whenever it happens that you treat her with something like Preparation H, Germoloids etc and get it popped back in. Then place her somewhere separate, quiet and dark, feed her on mixed corn and try to discourage her from laying for a while whilst she recovers.

[dollybird]

we bought them from an advert they where on an allotment we were told they were about a year old we have popped the prolapse back in and next time will use the prep h cream you said do u think there is any conection with bigger eggs and could they be bigger cos of feeding to many scraps ?  we didnt realise it was going to be this stressfull keeping hens we spent nearly a year researching and now feel i am letting them down. jackie x

[Jeanette]

Chikens will lay big eggs no matter what you do or what they are fed on. The only reason to cut down on scraps is that fat chickens will not lay. You love your chickens and you are not letting them down you have just had some bad luck.

[joyfull]

cutting down on the scraps will ensure they eat more of their layers so then they get more of their protein, vitamins and minerals 

[dollybird]

thank you for your help and kind words unfortunatly things went from bad to worse quickly with 3 hens having to go to vets all with prolapse and bleeding also they were sitting just shaking there heads vet didnt know what was wrong but we all agreed that things didnt look good so unfortunatlyagreed to put them to sleep. we have been told to keep a eye on the other 3 who seem to be ok at the moment. the vet wondered if there might have been a problem were we got them from but who knows. anyway thanks again willkeep up with this site and know where to come in future for advice and support, jackie.

[Pretty Chick]

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear that Jackie
Losing 1 is bad enough, but 3 all at the same time!!!! That must have been horrible for you
At least they're no longer suffering

[dollybird]

thankyou, hard on all family hopefully still got 3 healthy ones but devestating all the same they dont put this bit in the books lol jackie

[GrannieAnnie]

This article on prolapses is interesting.  I hope I'm not infringing copyright by putting it on here, but it's from the Hendrix Genetics Website, which is in the public domain so anyone can see it.

Hendrix genetics now owns the parent stocks of the majorityof the hybrid breeds

http://www.isapoultry.com/downloads/1/preventing_prolapse.pdf