Egg Yolk Peritonitis (‘EYP’) is a common cause of death in laying hens, and can be confused with a hen being Egg Bound. It is not a contagious disease but it can result in death if not seen to quickly.
What is the difference?
On a scale of probability, a hen is more likely to develop Egg Peritonitis rather than just suffer from being Egg Bound.
Egg binding on rare occasions can be the only problem. But I stress that it is, rare.
Egg binding on rare occasions can be the only problem. But I stress that it is, rare.
SYMPTOMS
- Strange walk – waddling upright like a duck (Posture is very noticeable)
- Enlarged behind often with some feather loss – appears distinctly red and swollen
- Tail lowered
- Not laying
- Difficult or reluctant to roam around her yard
- Lack of interest in foraging
- Frequently sitting
- Lacking usual interest in food
Let’s start with a hen suspected of being Egg Bound
Diet is the catalyst that will cause a hen to become Egg Bound. Usually due to a diet lacking in calcium, such as shellgrit. Or an absorption issue which hinders the uptake of calcium. If only kitchen scraps are the majority of the diet, this is most likely the cause.
The diet must be balanced with grains, protein, greens and calcium grit. Ensure that the water supply is always clean.
Egg shell quality diminishes with age, so often it is the older hens that become Egg Bound. The more fragile the egg shells become, the harder it is for the hen to expel the egg successfully.
The diet must be balanced with grains, protein, greens and calcium grit. Ensure that the water supply is always clean.
Egg shell quality diminishes with age, so often it is the older hens that become Egg Bound. The more fragile the egg shells become, the harder it is for the hen to expel the egg successfully.
To home treat an egg bound hen:
- Sit her in luke-warm water with a little Epsom salts in the sink or large bucket to help her relax for 5 minutes or so.
- On removing her from the water, towel dry gently and use a hair dryer to dry her off.
- In some cases, this may be enough for some hens to lay her egg.
- Follow up with a visit to your vet the next day. MUST
- Provide shellgrit and a liquid calcium supplement to their water supply to ensure all of your poultry have an adequate level of calcium as prevention
It is IMPORTANT to take the hen to the vet as the condition may require further treatment.
A hen that is Egg Bound is merely a SYMPTOM of something more that should be investigated.
A hen that is Egg Bound is merely a SYMPTOM of something more that should be investigated.
Egg Peritonitis
If the abdomen rear of the hen is red and swollen, this is a clear sign that infection (EYP) has set in and she requires veterinary care immediately.
Peritonitis follows reverse movement of albumen and Escherichia coli bacteria from the oviduct into the abdomen. If the incidence is high, culture should be done to differentiate between Pasteurella (fowl cholera) or Salmonella infection. Antibiotic treatment of peritonitis caused by E coli infections is usually ineffective. Management of body weight and uniformity, reproductive development (ovary follicle growth and maturation), and drinking water sanitation are the best preventive strategies.
When hens have too many large ovarian follicles, a problem described as erratic oviposition and defective egg syndrome (EODES) is seen in broiler breeders. This condition is accompanied by a high incidence of double-yolked eggs, prolapses of the oviduct, internal ovulation, and/or internal laying that often results in egg peritonitis and mortality. EODES is prevented by avoiding light stimulation of underweight pullets too early and by following guidelines for body weight and uniformity, and lighting recommendations for each breeder strain. Overweight hens may also have a higher incidence of erratic ovulations and mortality associated with egg peritonitis.
MSD Manual - The Veterinary Manual
How will the vet diagnose Egg Peritonitis?
Your vet will carry out an x-ray to see if there is any egg matter, as first course.
This may be followed with fluid being drawn from the coelom for samples.
If she is egg bound, the vet is then likely to insert fingers into the hen’s rear to extract the egg. A course of antibiotics might be offered.
EYP is diagnosed by your vet during a post mortem.
This may be followed with fluid being drawn from the coelom for samples.
If she is egg bound, the vet is then likely to insert fingers into the hen’s rear to extract the egg. A course of antibiotics might be offered.
EYP is diagnosed by your vet during a post mortem.
Are some chickens more prone to this disease?
Prolific egg layers such as ISA Browns, Hy-Lines, Leghorns, etc. are the most susceptible, but not exclusively to.
Hens who are frequent double-yolk layers are also considered at higher risk.
Over weight hens are also in the high risk category.
Hens who are frequent double-yolk layers are also considered at higher risk.
Over weight hens are also in the high risk category.
Can Egg Yolk Peritonitis be treated?
Treatment for hens is often too late. Early diagnosis is essential. Mortality is high, unfortunately.
Often a visit to the vet can result in the choice of a peaceful passing away instead of suffering.
It is very hard for a bird to show that they are in pain. They are more likely to hide their illness or injury and display more sleepiness and lack of interest in their day to day activities.
Always take time with your poultry each day to get to know what is normal or abnormal so that you can pick up on any early stages of ill health.
Often a visit to the vet can result in the choice of a peaceful passing away instead of suffering.
It is very hard for a bird to show that they are in pain. They are more likely to hide their illness or injury and display more sleepiness and lack of interest in their day to day activities.
Always take time with your poultry each day to get to know what is normal or abnormal so that you can pick up on any early stages of ill health.
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