In this episode of Purely Vetted, Nikki Husted @PurelyChickens sits down with poultry vet Blayne Mozisek @thepoultrydoc to break down some of the most common reproductive health issues in backyard hens.
They start with egg yolk peritonitis, explaining how bacteria can travel from the cloaca into the reproductive system. While hens can usually reabsorb stray yolks, infection changes everything and can turn this into a serious, often fatal condition.
Next, they look at water belly using one of Nikki’s hens as an example. You will learn how fluid buildup affects breathing and movement, and the difference between reproductive cysts and true ascites linked to organ issues or tumors. The vet walks through when draining fluid can help, how to do it safely, and why it only improves comfort rather than curing the root problem.
The episode wraps with a fast paced Q and A covering broodiness, lash eggs, egg binding, Marek’s disease, and more. They explain how to manage overly broody hens, why inbreeding can weaken your flock, and how to tell the difference between egg binding and other serious conditions like tumors or fluid buildup.
They finish with practical tips like checking the abdomen, monitoring body condition, and recognizing when euthanasia may be the most humane choice, helping chicken keepers make more confident, informed decisions.
#backyardchickens #eggboundhen #eggyolkperitonitis #lashegg #vetyourflock #poultryvet
00:00 – Intro & what is egg yolk peritonitis (EYP)?
00:14 – Cloaca anatomy and how bacteria reach the reproductive tract
04:45 – Water belly vs. other causes of swollen abdomens
06:49 – How to palpate, choose needles, and safely drain fluid
08:18 – Two main types: cystic right oviduct vs. ascites from organ disease
11:26 – Managing broodiness, especially in Silkies
14:07 – Inbreeding, genetics, and hybrid vigor
15:20 – Lash eggs: causes, risks, and when to use antibiotics
18:40 – Egg binding, prolapse, and why not every “penguin walk” is an egg‑bound hen
20:26 – Tumors, Marek’s presentations, and limits of surgery
23:20 – Live demo hen: assessing a swollen, water‑belly abdomen
25:26 – Routine handling, body condition scoring, and catching problems early
33:37 – Calcified egg
35:21 – Blood and meat spots in eggs—what they are and food safety
39:25 – Prolapse vent
42:53 – The digital examg
44:31 – Vent gleet vs pasty butt
47:40 – Closing thoughts & where to find past episodes