Oviposition is the process of laying eggs. It was he who allows farmers to get a large number of eggs for sale and for use in their own purposes.
However, sometimes poultry exhibits a complicated egg-laying, which not only causes damage, but can also cause the death of the layer.
In detail about the causes of this problem and how to solve them we will talk in this article.
What is difficult egg laying in chickens?
Obstructed egg-laying is a disease that prevents a laying hen from laying an egg. It can occur for various reasons, but, as a rule, it is most common in young chickens of egg-bearing breeds.
In the group of particular risk are individuals that have just started to be born. If in the first month egg-laying was successful, then later the adult bird will have no problems with laying eggs.
Most often this disease manifests itself in early spring, when birds begin to sweep after the winter period of rest. The muscles of the oviduct gradually wean off the load made by the egg, so they weaken, which can cause problems.
Degree of danger
Problems concerning the laying of eggs in chickens occur quite often, so it is difficult to say when a person first noticed the manifestation of this disease.
Unfortunately, stuck eggs in the body can be very dangerous as with any strong impact, the egg can crack and damage the oviduct. Ultimately, this can cause the death of the hens.
With regard to surgical procedures for the extraction of eggs, even they can be dangerous to the life of the bird. All these problems incur huge losses for the whole farm, therefore this problem should be treated as responsibly as possible.
Causes of disease
There are a large number of reasons why a hen may have trouble laying eggs.
Most often, egg-laying is hampered due to peristalsis of the oviduct. This problem is often found in birds that do not go out to the yard.
Due to constantly staying in one place without movement, their muscles atrophy, which leads to problems with egg-laying.
Another cause of obstructed egg laying can be called unhealthy diet. When a laying hen lacks a certain trace element, her body begins to weaken.
It can get sick, but the worst thing is when the lack of food affects the ability to lay eggs. If the usual depletion or avitaminosis can be cured with medicines without any particular risk, then surgical removal of the egg is fraught with its consequences.
Any violation of sanitary norms may also affect the overall health of the bird. If the litter is removed at the wrong time, then pathogenic microorganisms begin to settle in it.
They easily fall into the cloaca of the chicken, causing inflammation. From the cloaca, it can quickly move into the oviduct, which will no longer function normally.
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However, not only external factors can become guilty in the hardened egg-laying. Sometimes, large or deformed eggs form in the hen's body.
They cannot physically pass through the oviduct, where they quickly get stuck causing discomfort in the hen. The condition of the bird is aggravated if the egg lays wrong. Then, without surgery, it is almost impossible to get rid of it.
The course and symptoms of the disease
Laying hens with obstructed egg-laying are different from the others by weakness. They barely move around the yard, prefer to lie in one place.
Most often, the chicken sits in the farthest corner of the enclosure or pen where it tries to push in attempts to pull an egg. Due to constant stress, it stops eating, becomes lethargic. At the same time, her temperature rises.
In its advanced form, the disease seriously affects the health of the hen. It ceases to respond to any stimuli, often sitting in one place for a long time without movement. After a certain period of time, the chicken in this state dies if help does not come on time.
Diagnostics
The diagnosis of obstructed egg laying is made to those birds that differ in their behavior from the rest of the population. Several days are monitored for certain layers.
If there is a suspicion of obstructed egg-laying, the chicken is caught and examined in detail. In some cases, the egg is clearly visible, as it practically protrudes from the cloaca. In other cases - it is easily detectable. Enough of this sign to establish exactly that the chicken has problems.
Treatment
To help the laying hen lay an egg enter a few drops of vegetable oil, fish oil or vitamin A into the cloaca.
These substances will help to lubricate it so that the egg will calmly come out and relieve the bird from suffering. For greater muscle relaxation, the chicken’s abdomen is washed with warm water. In this case, you can make a light massage, but very carefully, so as not to damage the fragile egg.
After these manipulations, the chicken should be isolated from other birds. It is placed in a cage with soft bedding. Additionally, a cage or a small aviary can be covered, so that the bird calms down in the dark. After about 3 hours, she should lay an egg, but if this did not happen, then the egg should be removed forcibly.
Unfortunately, during the forced extraction of eggs, a large number of laying hens die. That is why you need to try to get the stuck egg as accurately as possible. If the operation is successful, the chicken will feel good after a few hours after the operation.
Prevention
Obstructed egg-laying is rarely seen in chickens who eat properly. At the same time, the state of the hens favorably reflects the high content of vitamin A in the feed.
That is why to prevent eggs getting stuck, chickens should get a certain amount of this vitamin. It can be dissolved with food or purchase special fortified feed.
As an additional preventive measure, you can inspect young laying hens that are just beginning to lay. This is especially true of the early spring period, when chickens begin to sweep after the winter rest period.
Conclusion
Difficult egg-laying is the most common cause of death of young layers. To avoid the cost of treatment, you need to worry about feeding chickens with proper feeds in a timely manner. Also important is the correct content and timely walking.
