A hen's reproductive tract

In some hens, the egg-laying process goes wrong. Egg production falls or stops, there is a messy, odorous discharge from the vent or the bird's abdomen swells. This article looks at several egg-laying disorders, their possible causes and remedies. Successful treatment may be possible however in many cases, humane euthanasia may be required.

Vent gleet

Vent gleet is a messy, smelly discharge which causes swollen, reddened skin and sticky, soiled feathers around the vent. There is usually a coating of white crusty material as well. The affected hen may look depressed, she produces only a few eggs or stops laying.

Vent gleet may be contagious, so remove the affected hens from your flock. Cleansing and veterinary treatment may clear the problem.

Egg bound

This happens when an egg is formed in the hen's uterus, but she is unable to lay it. The straining with unsuccessful attempts to lay can cause the oviduct to partly protrude. Other fowls cannibalise the affected hen and she may die.

The condition can result from a large egg, growths or tumours in the oviduct, diseases affecting the nerves or mucus secretion in the oviduct. An experienced person can help remove the egg by lubricating the oviduct and breaking the egg.

Egg peritonitis

This is an infection in the abdominal cavity of the hen caused by egg material not getting into the oviduct. Causes include an accumulation of egg yolks from oviduct blockage, the hen being egg bound, physical stress or damage to the hen (for example, a dog attack). Infection results, with a build-up of cheesy material or thick fluid. Affected hens have swollen abdomens, look miserable and may waddle like a duck. Treatment is usually of little value.

Protrusion

This is when the oviduct is forced out and protrudes from the vent of the hen. It may result from:

• irritation caused by vent gleet
• the hen being egg bound
• laying an oversized egg
• growths or tumours
• fright.

Other fowls may peck and damage the protrusion leading to the hen's death.
Separating the hen from the flock may help the condition right itself. An experienced person could gently push the oviduct back into place after washing and cleaning it to reduce infection. It can happen again in the same bird so humane culling is usually the best course. Also, the tendency to suffer protrusion is hereditary.