[Flowerpower136]

She's all fluffed up into a great big ball with her head hunched down, and keeps shutting her eyes.

Crops full so she has eaten, and I've seen her drink, and she was interested in peas and mealworms, but she's not right at all.

Saw one very runny mucuousy poo.

Have called our village gamekeeper lady, so expert help is on the way, but I'm really worried about her.

[treacleminer]

Hopefully shes just had a soft egg because of all the rain & will perk up soon.

[Flowerpower136]

You were spot on treacleminer.  It was a soft shell egg which had ruptured.

I think we've managed to get it all out. A bit of shell was protruding, and we were able to gently pull the whole thing out intact (fingers crossed).

So, Wilma has spent the night in the utility room, and is now exploring my work room.  I tried her back in the pen, buts its really cold out there, and she just hunched up and looked miserable. 

Also the others were taking too much interest in her vent.  Which is odd because I've washed it, and thankfully its all gone back to normal looking.

Now I know whos been laying the soft eggs, I can target her with calcium tabs.

Anyone any tips for getting her to eat them?

[binarose]

hi flowerpot,  i think i have a chicken with a similar problem, Jennys been antisocial all day and stayed in the nesting box. shes just standing very still, she has the large lump under her chin as you mention about wilma and keeps shutting her eyes.  There is some yellow discharge round her vent, but as i new to chicken keeping not sure how to check for a soft egg.. i would be grateful of some guidence on how to check as i don't want to hurt her by woman handling her...

hope you can help Binarose and Jenny

[goosebusters75]

Hi, i have an ex-batt that lays softies. She looks like she is going to keel over and die, and every time its happened i think oh no im really going to loose her this time...bt she always perks up thankfully. Ive started giving her a bit of limestone powder on half a grape everyday, and havent had a problem for a few weeks, so fingers crossed.

[Flowerpower136]

She's a lot better today. When I came into my work room this morning she was perched on the drawing board throwing pencils on the floor.   Which was a good sign I thought

So, back to normal and out in the pen with the others.  Got the crushed calcium tab down her by mixing it with small portion of mash just for her.  And watched to see her drink/eat and do a normal poo.

Re getting broken eggs out, Binarose.  Not sure I can help.  We were very lucky in that a bit of shell was showing at her vent, so we could pinch it and managed to pull the whole thing out.

Otherwise, not sure what would have happened.  Maybe other more experienced peeps can advise?

Limestone flour - now I have read about that, but I've got the calcium tabs now, so I'll see how she gets on with them.