Lost 2 hens now to same symptoms

[spydie]

We've now lost (well, put out of their misery) 2 hens to identical symptoms. Both started out with purple-red combs and started getting yellow smelly discharge. Not egg bound, but after a couple of days started adopting a wide legged stance and lowered tail.

They have gone with maybe 6 weeks between them. Both ex commercial (although free range) and approaching 3 years old. The first was laying fart eggs before she appeared unwell which made me think egg (or yolk) related peritonitis, but the second hasn't been laying for about 4 or 5 months. Starting to worry we may have some kind of infection in the coop... or could it just be bad luck and egg related??

www.walesonline.co.uk/business/farming/bird-flu-prevention-zone-been-14198094
www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/15897615.Bird_flu_prevention_zone_set_up_across_Wales/

Fingers crossed for you, OP.
We keep a few backyard hens and ours are fine, touch wood, but we're on the other side of the country.

It's not avian flu... they have been seen by a vet both times.

OK, sorry. So I presume it's not Newcastle disease either.

Looks like you may have to scrub and disinfect everything in sight.

Very distressing for you, I hope someone else may be able to help.

No not that either. First time vet suggested egg peritonitis but saw different vet the second time who suggested maybe some kind of virus.

I should be clear, the discharge is from the vent, not a respiratory discharge. And almost like a yolk yellow colour. They have had no respiratory symptoms whatsoever.

In all the many years we have had chickens, we've only had 1 case of egg bind and 1 prolapse... but admittedly with bantams and non commercial stock. These are our first ex commercial hens (weve had them almost 2 years now) so maybe it is just an egg related issue, but I'm just worrying since it's 2 birds quite close together.