[parks1]

We have been keeping chickens since June last year.  We have always bought them from the same supplier who breeds for small sales and commercial sale.  
Since then we have lost four to what we have presumed to be prolapse, or we originally thought they were egg bound.  End of the day the rear gets into an awful state very quickly, within a day and we have had to cull.
One of our new hens developed problems within a week of getting her but she has recovered.  Today we have another one, looks like a prolapse and she is straining, althoug she is eating and drinking well.
We have added extra grit, they eat layers mash.
Are we doing something wrong, why so many of our chickens having this problem, thinking of changing supplier, wonder if it's something hereditry, although when we spoke to him about it he said he had had it very rarely with his huge flock, so I am dispairing.

[joyfull]

if she is struggling (either to lay a soft shell egg - nothing to push against, an extra large egg - ouch, or perhaps an egg that appears to be stuck) then you could pop her into a bowl of warm water for at least 30 mins. This will help her muscles to relax and allow the egg to pop out. Towel dry her afterwards then use a hairdryer on a warm setting to dry her off.  .
New hens often have problems with large eggs or with softies but don't worry they do usually settle down.