bantam cochin possibly egg bound.... HELP

[ladrholman]

My sweet girl is in trouble. She had stopped laying over the winter as per usually and her pelvis narrowed... today I found her looking half eyes open and her abd swollen, pelvis open again. She tries to bear down as if to pass an egg but can not do so.... I had her in a warm bath a few hours ago and gently massaged her belly. When I got home to check her she had passed some stool but no egg..... almost panting at times. I gave her another bath and tried to feel for an egg in her vent..... I can feel a large lump but not close to the end of the vent... almost like it is still in the oviduct. She was able to pass some more stool in the water with great effort. I have her wrapped in towels in a basket where it is quiet to see if she can pass it..... I know I have had issues with Calcium intake with my girls.... they will not eat the shells..... give yogurt but not likely enough... lost another girl to internal laying yesterday.... there are no chicken vets around. Any help would be appreciated. I have water with her with antibiotics in it in the event that she was interested in drinking. PLEASE HELP SHE IS MY FAVORITE GIRL!!!!

 

[Poultrycrazy mom]

Iv never had an egg bound hen but since nobody has answered ill try to help. If she is truly egg bound soak her in warm water and you can also try to lubricate the vent and inside the vent but you have to be very careful. You can also feel for the egg in herr vent but idk if you wanna do that. Sorry i cant be of more help hopefully someone with more experience will answer.

 

[Poultrycrazy mom]

Also put here in a dark space and keep her warm.

 

[viking princess]

We have layers in the barn that get egg bound all the time. I lubricate and put in warm water to relax them but if that doesn't help, I lubricate very heavily and get prongs and go in and very carefully (do not break the eggs) first put my fingers inside (but I have tiny fingers) and then gently try to pull out with prongs that have rubber bands wrapped around the prong part to give me extra traction. We have lost chickens who were eggs bound and makes us very sad. We find that when the chickens are outside most of the time and eating a really good diet, this will rarely happen. However, in the winter months, it does happen more frequently. Hope this helps. Vets who specializein birds can take over in emergency but a lot of people don't want to spend the money for $3 chick???
Good Luck!!!

 

[ladrholman]

Thanks, If I had a vet around who was helpful, I would pay it!! I have tried to feel for an egg but only feel the lump... seems farther in... She is very tiny and I don't have small hands. I have her in a dark place and wrapped in warm towels... do you know if the risks are higher when they stop laying for the winter months and all?? I have done 2 baths and the lubrication.... she has been able to pass small amts of stool.... should go check on her.... losing her would be very sad!!! She is a sweetie!!!

 

[ladrholman]

PLEASE HELP- she made the night. no poops all night. i gave her another warm bath and she passed some stool. i felt around inside the vent but can not feel any egg. i can stil feel the egg shaped lump but it feels quite hard.... is there supposed to be a lump there.... could it be a growth. she ate a bit of bread in egg yolk and molasses. still looks unwell. currently wrapped in a warm towel on my lap. is there something more i should be doing.... PLEASE HELP.....

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

I understand how you feel, losing a favorite (and cochins are highly addictive) is horrible

I have NEVER Had an egg bound chicken, so I cant add much help. Now i dont know if this is reccomended, but if it were ME, and no one was responding, i would try and get the egg to move, and try and inch it towards her vent

sorry i cant help, hope she makes it, she is a beaut!

 

[ladrholman]

Thanks, The lump feels so large compared to her pelvis.... looking at anatomy on chickens it has to be either an egg or a mass... I hope she can pass it.... i have her back in the basket with warm towels, something to drink and a bit of yogurt. She is an absolute sweetheart. Snuggles and all....

 

[ladrholman]

Cochin has eaten some scrambled egg. Been resting all day in the basket with towels under and over her. She is a bit brighter. At least the eating is a good sign I guess. The wonderful waiting game.....

 

[jdemars]

I'm a newbe to chickens so I'm not sure of anything that others have not already said. Did you try posting to the Cochin thread maybe some one there has an idea hope she does better