Egg bound?

[emb1]

Hi!

We noticed one of our hens (15 month black australorp) was reluctant to get up/leave her roost this morning and her comb appeared paler than usual. She did come out to the run after a bit but seemed lethargic and was just standing and sitting in just one area. She had no real interest in eating this morning either. We brought her inside and have given her some electrolyte water with additional calcium mixed in as well as a scrambled egg which she had a few bites of. She is still not moving around much but is alert and clucking when we are in with her. She has has a few unusual BMs since being brought inside as well (images attached). We believe she is likely egg bound but not 100% sure. We attempted to give her an epsom soak but she did not tolerate it well, she became incredibly stressed and began panting. I have lubricated her vent interior and exterior with vaseline with no change, she doesn’t appear to be straining to lay either. Any advice on how to help her tolerate the epsom soak or other ideas on what could be going on with her?

Thanks in advance!

 

[alinas2010]

I’m sorry your chicken isn’t feeling well. How long would you say it’s been since she’s laid? Can you gently palpate her abdomen and feel an egg? Some people can, I’ve never had luck trying.

If you can get some, there are human calcium citrate plus d3 vitamins at most grocery and drug stores. You’ll want to gently pull her wattles down and pop one of those (600mg) directly into her mouth then let go of her wattles and she’ll swallow. This will help with egg binding.

Edit to add, I saw you just joined; a big welcome to BYC, sorry it is under the circumstance of a sick hen!

 

[emb1]

I’m sorry your chicken isn’t feeling well. How long would you say it’s been since she’s laid? Can you gently palpate her abdomen and feel an egg? Some people can, I’ve never had luck trying.

If you can get some, there are human calcium citrate plus d3 vitamins at most grocery and drug stores. You’ll want to gently pull her wattles down and pop one of those (600mg) directly into her mouth then let go of her wattles and she’ll swallow. This will help with egg binding.

Edit to add, I saw you just joined; a big welcome to BYC, sorry it is under the circumstance of a sick hen!

Thank you so much! Been a lurker for some time but unfortunately first time seeking advice.

She definitely laid 2 days ago, and possibly yesterday as well (we have 6 other black australorps and retrieved 4 eggs yesterday, 7 the day before). We’ve been attempting to palpate her abdomen to feel for an egg but haven’t been able to feel one that way. I’ve felt inside her vent as well but am honestly not 100% sure if what I felt was an egg or just her anatomy.

Thank you for the tip on the tablets! We have been giving her the water with calcium added but I imagine the dosage of the tablets far surpassed what she’s gotten so far.

Her comb and waddles appear much redder again this afternoon but she’s continued to pass the odd stools and limit her movement. She alternates between seeming relaxed and stressed (mouth open/slightly panting).

 

[alinas2010]

Thank you so much! Been a lurker for some time but unfortunately first time seeking advice.

She definitely laid 2 days ago, and possibly yesterday as well (we have 6 other black australorps and retrieved 4 eggs yesterday, 7 the day before). We’ve been attempting to palpate her abdomen to feel for an egg but haven’t been able to feel one that way. I’ve felt inside her vent as well but am honestly not 100% sure if what I felt was an egg or just her anatomy.

Thank you for the tip on the tablets! We have been giving her the water with calcium added but I imagine the dosage of the tablets far surpassed what she’s gotten so far.

Her comb and waddles appear much redder again this afternoon but she’s continued to pass the odd stools and limit her movement. She alternates between seeming relaxed and stressed (mouth open/slightly panting).

Do make yourself at home here on the site

At the advice of some of the resident educators here (very smart, very experienced and helpful chicken tenders) I don’t think I would continue to stick a finger in her vent anymore. While we mean well by doing so, there is a chance it may do more harm than good. My stance on that is to just know that if she is pooping still an egg isn’t far enough down her reproductive tract to be blocking poop, so I probably wouldn’t feel it anyways. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one stuck farther up.

I know calcium in the water is certainly a lot easier! I do see where a lot of people use it. Do you think she is drinking enough for it to be effective? That is the only thing I would worry about. It’s definitely your call if you want to try the calcium plus d3 tablets I will tell you from experience, they are a life saver!! I always tell people to have them on hand in their chicken first egg kit for not only egg binding but for vent prolapses too. The D3 helps with the quick absorption of the calcium.

How’s her stance? Hunched up at all? I have a hen who takes on a flamingo pose when she’s egg bound, with one leg lifted.

 

[emb1]

Do make yourself at home here on the site

At the advice of some of the resident educators here (very smart, very experienced and helpful chicken tenders) I don’t think I would continue to stick a finger in her vent anymore. While we mean well by doing so, there is a chance it may do more harm than good. My stance on that is to just know that if she is pooping still an egg isn’t far enough down her reproductive tract to be blocking poop, so I probably wouldn’t feel it anyways. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t one stuck farther up.

I know calcium in the water is certainly a lot easier! I do see where a lot of people use it. Do you think she is drinking enough for it to be effective? That is the only thing I would worry about. It’s definitely your call if you want to try the calcium plus d3 tablets I will tell you from experience, they are a life saver!! I always tell people to have them on hand in their chicken first egg kit for not only egg binding but for vent prolapses too. The D3 helps with the quick absorption of the calcium.

How’s her stance? Hunched up at all? I have a hen who takes on a flamingo pose when she’s egg bound, with one leg lifted.

That is really good to know about the vent and makes a lot of sense. I would never want to cause our ladies any harm! These are our first chickens and were gifted to us so we’re definitely still learning. We’ve been following a lot of advice given to us by the gifter but I will certainly do more thorough research of my own moving forward!

I searched around at a few shops for the calcium citrate tablets before finding them. When we went up to give her the tablet just now we found her laying down on top of the egg she had just laid! We’re so relieved that she recovered so quickly and seems to be completely back to her regular self. Thank you so much for your advice today!

 

[alinas2010]

That is really good to know about the vent and makes a lot of sense. I would never want to cause our ladies any harm! These are our first chickens and were gifted to us so we’re definitely still learning. We’ve been following a lot of advice given to us by the gifter but I will certainly do more thorough research of my own moving forward!

I searched around at a few shops for the calcium citrate tablets before finding them. When we went up to give her the tablet just now we found her laying down on top of the egg she had just laid! We’re so relieved that she recovered so quickly and seems to be completely back to her regular self. Thank you so much for your advice today!

Oh my gosh that is wonderful! I’m so glad that she was able to lay! And you’re so welcome. I would say you did all the hard work, getting her calcium fast and nice and relaxed. Now you’ll even have some calcium citrate on hand should other emergencies pop up.

Stay a while on the site and introduce yourself to us if you haven’t already. Before you know it you’ll be giving others advice on their egg bound hens!