Any ideas on how to help my egg bound almost 3 year old sexlink?

[Mskayladog]

I have tried many many baths calcium mineral oil on vent and had her in the house for three days. This is going on a week her stomach is not as swollen.

When I first noticed her tummy I brought her in the house bathed her for twenty minutes lubed her up and massaged her stomach, I could feel the egg towards her right side. Finally after 4 days I gave up and took her back out to the coop. Her swelling is going down but I have not noticed any egg from her below her on the poop board in the mornings is yellowish poop. She is eating and drinking and running slowly around with the other hens.
I can't feel the egg when I insert my finger into her and yes I wear I glove lol.

How long will she live with that egg inside her?


Is this normal for sexlinks to get egg bound? I have a 4-5 year old wyndotte who still gives me eggs and has never had medical problems.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

You should read this article.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention

Hope she heals!

 

[Mskayladog]

Yes I have read that we supply oyster shell, we feed kalmbach feed crumble and our feed stores freshly ground mix both of those have added calcium. I lightly bake their shells and crush and feed it back to them in a free choice pan all calcium is in its own pan. I change their water daily and keep a very clean coop. They have a large covered area and no stress.

I have bathed her vent many times 20 mins at a time. I followed all the directions I have found here and all over the internet.

 

[casportpony]

Yes I have read that we supply oyster shell, we feed kalmbach feed crumble and our feed stores freshly ground mix both of those have added calcium. I lightly bake their shells and crush and feed it back to them in a free choice pan all calcium is in its own pan. I change their water daily and keep a very clean coop. They have a large covered area and no stress.

I have bathed her vent many times 20 mins at a time. I followed all the directions I have found here and all over the internet.

This is what I do:

• Hydrate orally with a tube or subcutaneously. Fluids play a very important role in egg production.
• Give calcium gluconate once hydrated either orally or subcutaneously at 100mg per 2.2 pounds
• Fill bathroom with steam and let the calcium and fluids do their thing. Last one I treated was in there for 12 hours.

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

You can get calcium Gluconate at Tractor Supply.

-Kathy

 

[Mskayladog]

Thank you I will run to tractor supply

 

[BantamLover21]

How long will she live with that egg inside her? An egg bound hen can survive for a varying amount of time. Some die almost immediately (due to shock/stress, I assume), while others can linger on for days. Earlier this year, I had an egg bound hen who lasted abut a week before finally succumbing. When I did a necropsy on her, the stuck egg was in her oviduct, layered in egg yolks that were released after the egg got stuck.


Is this normal for sexlinks to get egg bound? I have a 4-5 year old wyndotte who still gives me eggs and has never had medical problems. I've never raised Sex-links, so I can't say for sure. From reading threads on BYC, though, I'm under the impression that high production birds (sex-links, hatchery orpingtons/other breeds, etc.) are more susceptible to egg laying problems, including egg binding, internal laying, etc.

It sounds to me like you're doing almost everything you can for your hen. The calcium gluconate, if you can get it, should definitely help. If the egg doesn't pass in the next few days, though, I'm afraid the chances of your hen surviving are somewhat slim. The stuck egg may not kill her, but it could be a sign that she is becoming an internal layer, or infection may set in.

I've experienced egg binding in my hens once, and hope that it never happens again--I know how hard it is to try and save a bird with it. Good luck with your hen!

 

[casportpony]

Forgot to mention it's in the cattle section. It's 230mg/ml, so give her between 0.44 ml per 2.2 pounds or calculate her dose like this:

Body weight in pounds divided by 2.2 times 100 divided by 230

Here is what that would look like for a six pound hen:
6/2.2 x 100/230 = 1.19ml

Makes sense?

-Kathy

 

[artsyrobin]

Quote:
with egg bound hens i bathe in warm water, put a tums in the drinking water and massage, evry couple of hours as necessary- haven't lost one to it, the tums gives a quick calcium boost- yes production birds do tend to have issues

 

[casportpony]

The steam method is safer and less stressful, IMO. Just fill the room and leave them in there. Tums will work, too, but the calcium gluconate will work faster. It's also easier to dose correctly.

-Kathy