[compostqueen]

Ah that was a happy tale. Thank goodness

I hope she's her old self again this morning

Nice sockets by the way 

[noshed]

I find it quite hard to keep my sockets clean.

[mumofstig]

'Dirty sockets' sounds painful and embarrasing, but dirty plugs must be worse IMO

[too many girls]

i've got dirty plugs and sockets and tiles, i keep meaning to clean them............................

hen houses and hens are clean though

[mumofstig]

 

[karlooben]

i have my figners crossed it dont happen again 

[too many girls]

i have my figners crossed it dont happen again 

if you don't clean them they can't get dirty again new there was a perfectly good reason

[karlooben]

u lost me there tmg  but for me that a aint a hard thing to do

[dizzylizzie]

Hi flowerpower...ive just seen this, sorry!
Well done you though eh? not only did you spot it, you delt with it and now all is well! .
The only other thing i have done, and that is only if a bath hasnt worked is popped a calcium tablet down her throat. Oh well done tho, i bet your chuffed with yourself! xxx

[Flowerpower136]

Thanks for that!

She had a calcium tab (crushed on a halved tomato - her fav!) before she went to bed, so hopefully that will help prevent a recurrence.

Only just started on the limestone flour, so hoping that's going to improve things.  I'm having problems with soft or thin shells.  Or rather the girls are

Seems I knew what to do afterall!  And all because of this forum, I've obviously absorbed more than I thought!

[spider]

I'll say.  She's had her supper and gone to bed in the utility room.  Much happier chicken.

Look at this!  Soft shells come detached and ended up in a separate lump, and the membrane is all dry and clingy, no lubrication at all.  Poor Nelly.



Glad it's all over.  Quick snack, a drink and a calcium tab, and then bedtime.

My friends hen has laid a shell less egg and what seems to be the shell and membrane is protruding from her vent.
We've tried her in a warm salty bath, and although she seems to be trying to eject what is left it just wont exit
I've felt for another egg, but can't feel anything hard, he tells me she looks fatter and is not her usual self.
Must have had her in the warm water best part of an hour.
I've given her baytril and some olive oil.
Any advice would be gratefully accepted.
Thanks
Spider

[spider]

Hi flowerpower...ive just seen this, sorry!
Well done you though eh? not only did you spot it, you delt with it and now all is well! .
The only other thing i have done, and that is only if a bath hasnt worked is popped a calcium tablet down her throat. Oh well done tho, i bet your chuffed with yourself! xxx

Do I have to get these from the vet or can I get them from the chemist?
Do they have a brand name?

Thanks
Spider

[Flowerpower136]

We've had similar problems with Wilma.  Twice now, a thin shell had broken before she'd got it out, resulting in a very unhappy chicken.

If shell is protruding, try to very gently pinch hold of it, and very gently, and steadily, and slowly pull it out.  Then clean everything, and let her rest overnight indoors on her own.  

Then you might need a stiff drink and a lie down.  Delving round chickens bottoms makes me feel quite faint, but it has to be done.

On both occasions with Wilma the broken shell with the membrane attached came out whole.  But you have to be very very gentle because if the membrane breaks you could end up with bits that you can't reach, and she can't eject.  On both occasions with Wilma there was a very small prolapse, which went back on its own accord.  

Wish you luck with it.  Fingers crossed.

Re you last post - calcium tabs.  I just got mine from the chemist.  Since then I've started using Limestone Flour (Calcium Carbonate) purchased on internet.  Much easier to administer, and already can see that shells are getting stronger.

[spider]

Great advice THANKS
I will try to gently ease out with some vasoline

I was a little scared of helping it out as its not my chicken, and realise how bad things can get if it breaks apart in there.

I'm off to chemist now for the calcium tabs.

Thanks again

Spider

[compostqueen]

I asked at our chemist for dispersable calcium tablet and he looked at me like I was from Mars 

I got a tub of limestone flour from the local horsey place for only £3.50

This has just happened to my hen but unfortunately it looked as if the egg had broken inside her and infection had set it resulting in a very poorly girl.  A trip to the vet and a course of Baytril and she looks to be getting better. I was very worried though as she was very ill very quickly.