Hen seems to be struggling. Egg bound?

[TXmama4boys]

My favorite hen is typically so friendly and mild. This past week she has been feisty. She is pecking the other gals and pecking me. She keeps going into her nesting box, scratching, spinning, sitting and looks as if she is trying to lay. As she is doing that, she will make a noise that I have never heard from her, or any hen. She sounds like a cat that is in a fight.

After her 3rd nest box trip today, I picked her up to look at her vent and it is going in and out and puckering over and over. Her beak is staying open and she is breathing rapidly.

Do you think it is possible that she is egg bound?

 

[Squawkers]

She might be broody

 

[tlcmurphy]

My favorite hen is typically so friendly and mild. This past week she has been feisty. She is pecking the other gals and pecking me. She keeps going into her nesting box, scratching, spinning, sitting and looks as if she is trying to lay. As she is doing that, she will make a noise that I have never heard from her, or any hen. She sounds like a cat that is in a fight.

After her 3rd nest box trip today, I picked her up to look at her vent and it is going in and out and puckering over and over. Her beak is staying open and she is breathing rapidly.

Do you think it is possible that she is egg bound?

Sounds to me like she’s broody not egg bound, but you can give her a calcium pill just in case

 

[TXmama4boys]

Sounds to me like she’s broody not egg bound, but you can give her a calcium pill just in case

I have powdered egg shells.
Will this do the same as a calcium pill?

I’ve had many broody hens and never seen this type of behavior. However, this would be her first time- so maybe that’s what it is.

Thank you so much!

 

[tlcmurphy]

I have powdered egg shells.
Will this do the same as a calcium pill?

I’ve had many broody hens and never seen this type of behavior. However, this would be her first time- so maybe that’s what it is.

Thank you so much!

I really don’t think it’s egg bound “psycho bird” is more of a broody thing. I think she just doesn’t know what’s going on in her brain

 

[tlcmurphy]

When a hen is egg bound you will need to give a calcium pill of at least 300mg, not eggshells

 

[TXmama4boys]

When a hen is egg bound you will need to give a calcium pill of at least 300mg, not eggshells

Understood, thank you.

 

[TXmama4boys]

I really don’t think it’s egg bound “psycho bird” is more of a broody thing. I think she just doesn’t know what’s going on in her brain

I sure hope you are right! she is acting psycho for sure.

 

[tlcmurphy]

Understood, thank you.

Eggshells are great for everyday though