Calcium for Egg Bound Hen

[Miss Lydia]

Usually once they have taken the cal glu it's an overnight work. But that is because it has been given in the afternoon. @Aunt Angus had to give one of her ducks many doses before she finally laid. Hopefully you won't have to do this but you might want to give her another dose if she hasn't laid it by afternoon. Can you slip a finger inside and see if you can move the egg around so it's going in the right direction?

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Usually once they have taken the cal glu it's an overnight work. But that is because it has been given in the afternoon. @Aunt Angus had to give one of her ducks many doses before she finally laid. Hopefully you won't have to do this but you might want to give her another dose if she hasn't laid it by afternoon. Can you slip a finger inside and see if you can move the egg around so it's going in the right direction?

I've noticed that 1ml is oftentimes the dosage that's advised, but my hen will only be getting a very small amount going by weight. Is a larger dose generally advised for the first dosage? My apologies for asking so many questions.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

A picture of our patient, OEGB named Willow I offered her some blueberries and she ate a tiny bit.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I got Willow out of the brooder I've been keeping her in, so I could get a weight on her. I decided to let her walk around while I figured the calcium gluconate dosage. She pooped three times now and it's not pure urates. It's really smelly so I'm assuming it's cecals. Since it looks like she's had some egg material in her poops, I'd like to start her on enrofloxacin or Amoxicillian. I'd also like to give her a dewormer (Valbazen) just to be on the safe side. This is a lot of meds at once and while I suspect they're safe, I'd hate to make things worse for her. I know it's extremely important to get this egg to come out and if/when that happens, get her crop cleared. I'm still going to try the calcium gluconate now. She's walking around pecking at any crumb she finds whenever she's not standing still looking like she feels bad.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I got Willow out of the brooder I've been keeping her in, so I could get a weight on her. I decided to let her walk around while I figured the calcium gluconate dosage. She pooped three times now and it's not pure urates. It's really smelly so I'm assuming it's cecals. Since it looks like she's had some egg material in her poops, I'd like to start her on enrofloxacin or Amoxicillian. I'd also like to give her a dewormer (Valbazen) just to be on the safe side. This is a lot of meds at once and while I suspect they're safe, I'd hate to make things worse for her. I know it's extremely important to get this egg to come out and if/when that happens, get her crop cleared. I'm still going to try the calcium gluconate now. She's walking around pecking at any crumb she finds whenever she's not standing still looking like she feels bad.
View attachment 3431227

If she has been plugged up that poo that’s been sitting inside will be really smelly
I would give her the dose of calcium as you want this egg out before it causes more issues
If your worried cause she is a bantam then do half to 3/4 dose
My duck is 2.1 kg ( 4.5 pounds abc takes 1 ml if that helps you figure it out.

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I’m just thinking of when my duvk was broody and she holds her poo in for long periods of time
When she does poo the smell is terrible
I would focus on the egg getting out first
Then see if the crop can empty and her poo begins to be normal
If not then start antibiotics

 

[Miss Lydia]

[IMG alt="casportpony"]https://www.backyardchickens.com/data/avatars/m/151/151473.jpg?1676593768[/IMG]

casportpony​

​

BYC Staff
Project Manager
Premium Feather Member
10 Years

• 
• 
• 

Jun 24, 2012 130,996 389,983 2,282 The Golden State

Based on a dose of 100mg/kg and a 23% solution, the dose is as follows:

1 pound duck - 0.2 ml
2 pound duck - 0.4 ml
3 pound duck - 0.6 ml
4 pound duck - 0.8 ml
5 pound duck - 1 ml
6 pound duck - 1.2 ml
7 pound duck - 1.4 ml
8 pound duck - 1.6 ml
9 pound duck - 1.8 ml
10 pound duck - 2 ml
This is based on weight of a duck but I don't see why it wouldn't work for a chicken too. I gave my little OEGB 0.2ml its more than her weight but it won't hurt them. Start with 0.1ml if you feel better about it. Just know an egg-bound bird won't last long and she has other things going on too so that isn't helping.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I gave her 0.4ml of the calcium gluconate. Hopefully we'll see an egg by the time I finish up with work. Thank you both

 

[New duck mommy 2021]

I gave her 0.4ml of the calcium gluconate. Hopefully we'll see an egg by the time I finish up with work. Thank you both

I really hope so
I’m sending prayers and positive vibes for her
Keep us posted

 

[HeatherKellyB]

I really hope so
I’m sending prayers and positive vibes for her
Keep us posted

Thank you. I really appreciate those prayers so much