prolapse advice

[mum of 4]

Hi everyone,
When we got back from holiday Pepsi was in full moult and then just as she was coming back into lay she suffered a huge prolapse which couldn't be put back and we ended her suffering. Icer had suffered a similar prolapse back in May time although she hadn't been moulting.
Coke is now in full moult - she is virtually bald! - and I'm worried that she may go the same way as the other 2 once she comes back into lay.
Any advice please? Was I just unluckly to have 2 with prolapses? or do I need to change something?
Thanks

 

[chrismahon]

Just unlucky I think Mumof4. There is nothing you can do but hope. If she does prolapse after feathering up it can be treated on occasions successfully. There is a thread on here called 'Elisa's Prolapse'. But she was a fairly young hen at around a year I think. She is still OK 18 months on. Older hens may not be treatable.

 

[dinosaw]

Just bad luck, try not to worry too much about it.

 

[Marigold]

I'm sorry to hear about Pepsi, but I think you did the right thing. Some people go to incredible lengths to try to save prolapsed hens, but it's usually unsuccessful once they start to lay again, and continued treatment only prolongs the suffering in the end.
Are your girls over two years old, or are they Exbatts? Older hybrids are more prone to prolapse than purebreds because they are so very productive. I suppose their oviducts just get slack from over-use. Also, the eggs tend to get bigger as they get older. I've got a little hen who has laid almost every day for nearly 3 years now, I wish I could tell her to slow down, but she's laying huge eggs with very thin shells and I'm sure there are problems ahead.

 

[dinosaw]

I wish I could tell her to slow down, but she's laying huge eggs with very thin shells and I'm sure there are problems ahead.

It's a huge problem with the prolific hybrids. I lost both of my goldlines within 3 months of each other to peritonitis, because they cycle between good days followed by bad it can be very difficult to pick the right moment to cull them.