Egg bound?! Needing help!

[urbanchickenadventure]

Yesterday morning I noticed one of my hens was just hanging out in a nesting box. I had hoped she was finally laying (10 of 11 of my flock stopped and molted). However, when I check later she was struggling to walk and being pecked at.
Took her in, gave her a warm bath (didn't have Epsom salt). Then put her in the tub with a towel to lightly blow dry her. Gave her another warm bath and gently massaged her with the rhythm of her breathing/"straining". Her rear undercarriage feels bloated and boggy, but I can't feel an egg. I tried to lube a gloved finger to gently explore but her vent is very clamped up and I am not wanting to hurt her. How far should I probe for an egg?
Does this sound like she's egg bound? I can force her to drink water (dripping it along her beak she engages) but she hasn't tried an food. She's still alive and alert, but stuck in place looking uncomfortable and unable to properly walk. Any suggestions on how to help her besides just more warm baths/massages? We're keeping her in a cozy tote indoors until she passes away or passes an egg. Thanks in advance!! We've never had this issue before.

For context; we've gone through a rough period financially so we haven't been able to feed/supplement like they're used to and we want to do for them. I read low calcium can be an issue. But, she's also about 4yo so she's no spring chicken. We also just had an intense cold snap (in the teens at night instead of the usual high 20s low 30s).

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! Do you have calcium citrate? Or tums?

 

[Eggcessive]

Give her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D3 orally, or a Tums broken in two to swallow. Does it seem that her lower belly under her vent is enlarged? What do her poops look like, and pictures are welcome. Have you seen any abnormal or soft shell eggs? Is her crop emptying in the early morning before she eats or drinks?

 

[AinaWGSD]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this right now. If you have calcium 500 or 600mg i would give her a dose right away and continue for 5 days or until she lays. The calcium will help with contractions to expel the egg if she's egg bound. I would offer scrambled egg and/or soaked feed to see if you can entice her to eat.

 

[urbanchickenadventure]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this right now. If you have calcium 500 or 600mg i would give her a dose right away and continue for 5 days or until she lays. The calcium will help with contractions to expel the egg if she's egg bound. I would offer scrambled egg and/or soaked feed to see if you can entice her to eat.

Thank you for the advice, I'll have my husband pick up a bottle of calcium when he goes to the store. We'll make her some egg. I had some cooked oatmeal and wheat berries on hand already and she's ignored that. Offered some smooshed blueberry and she'd ignore that too.

 

[urbanchickenadventure]

Give her a human calcium tablet with vitamin D3 orally, or a Tums broken in two to swallow. Does it seem that her lower belly under her vent is enlarged? What do her poops look like, and pictures are welcome. Have you seen any abnormal or soft shell eggs? Is her crop emptying in the early morning before she eats or drinks?

I haven't seen anything egg wise as she hasn't laid in months, so unless she passed them while with the other chickens and they got eaten, I'm not sure on that front. While trying to prod her vent she pooped and it was just liquid and thin. The poo on her vent feathers felt like cement, rocky and crumbly in the water. Very odd. I'll have to try for photos later, but for now I'll attempt the calcium and continue to keep her hydrated and comfy. Try a warm bath every day as long as she's alive but struggling. Yes, her underbelly by her vent looks enlarged/distended, but she doesn't have a prolapse.

 

[urbanchickenadventure]

Yesterday morning I noticed one of my hens was just hanging out in a nesting box. I had hoped she was finally laying (10 of 11 of my flock stopped and molted). However, when I check later she was struggling to walk and being pecked at.
Took her in, gave her a warm bath (didn't have Epsom salt). Then put her in the tub with a towel to lightly blow dry her. Gave her another warm bath and gently massaged her with the rhythm of her breathing/"straining". Her rear undercarriage feels bloated and boggy, but I can't feel an egg. I tried to lube a gloved finger to gently explore but her vent is very clamped up and I am not wanting to hurt her. How far should I probe for an egg?
Does this sound like she's egg bound? I can force her to drink water (dripping it along her beak she engages) but she hasn't tried an food. She's still alive and alert, but stuck in place looking uncomfortable and unable to properly walk. Any suggestions on how to help her besides just more warm baths/massages? We're keeping her in a cozy tote indoors until she passes away or passes an egg. Thanks in advance!! We've never had this issue before.

For context; we've gone through a rough period financially so we haven't been able to feed/supplement like they're used to and we want to do for them. I read low calcium can be an issue. But, she's also about 4yo so she's no spring chicken. We also just had an intense cold snap (in the teens at night instead of the usual high 20s low 30s).

Update: she very sadly died the same day I made this post. Even after more warm baths, come calcium/vitamin D supplements, and even a little food, she just couldn't pass it and passed away. RIP to our best predator chicken. Hopefully your sisters will step up to eat the tomato horn worms in your honor.

 

[Themellowyellows]

Update: she very sadly died the same day I made this post. Even after more warm baths, come calcium/vitamin D supplements, and even a little food, she just couldn't pass it and passed away. RIP to our best predator chicken. Hopefully your sisters will step up to eat the tomato horn worms in your honor.

This broke my heart. I am so so sorry, and know the feeling. It sucks... You tried your best, and unfortunately when things like this happens its hard to help. Thank you for trying! Happy new year!

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss.