Chicken appears egg bound but the ‘egg’ that I’m starting to think is a mass is in her abdomen and her abdomen has become swollen and hot.

[Iisa]

I can feel a hard shelled egg in her abdomen, nowhere close to her vent, and she’s really trying to push but with no success. I’ve been giving her warm baths and extra calcium. Her abdomen is swollen and the feathers have come off from that area. She’s still perching and eating but I haven’t seen her drink yet so will syringe her fluid if she doesn’t. I also don’t think she’s pooing easily- a little came out after her last bath. I’ve put her in a dark warm room in the house in a pet carrier. Any advice greatly appreciated.


1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) bantam 2 years old
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Wings down, waddling, feathers gone from swollen abdomen. She seems fine otherwise though.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? I noticed less than 24hrs ago
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Nothing
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Layers feed and she free ranges
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. she has pooed a little bit after her last bath- it was normal
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? Calcium, warm bath, quiet space
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Treat myself if possible as I don’t have an avian vet nearby
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use. Hay type bedding

 

[Eggcessive]

The best things to do for an egg bound hen is to give calcium citrate with vitamin D 300 mg orally right into the beak to swallow, and place on a warm towel in a quiet spot to lay her egg. Tums or calcium carbonate is a good substitute for the first day, but the ca citrate is best if it has to be repeated. Has she been laying regularly, and having normal hard shells?

 

[Iisa]

The best things to do for an egg bound hen is to give calcium citrate with vitamin D 300 mg orally right into the beak to swallow, and place on a warm towel in a quiet spot to lay her egg. Tums or calcium carbonate is a good substitute for the first day, but the ca citrate is best if it has to be repeated. Has she been laying regularly, and having normal hard shells?

Yes she’s been absolutely fine egg wise until now. Her abdomen has really ballooned now and is warm to the touch. I can still feel something round and egg like in there but is there something else it could be?

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be a tumor, cyst, or infection. Water belly (ascites) can cause an enlarged belly and also feel spongy, full, or tight. Internal laying can lead to salpingitis, or egg material in masses. Sometimes we never know what might be affecting them without a vet and xray, or getting a necropsy after death. I usually do my own necropsies at home when I lose a hen. Would a picture of her belly show the large abdomen? Is her crop emptying normally by early morning?

 

[Iisa]

It could be a tumor, cyst, or infection. Water belly (ascites) can cause an enlarged belly and also feel spongy, full, or tight. Internal laying can lead to salpingitis, or egg material in masses. Sometimes we never know what might be affecting them without a vet and xray, or getting a necropsy after death. I usually do my own necropsies at home when I lose a hen. Would a picture of her belly show the large abdomen? Is her crop emptying normally by early morning?

Yes her crop is emptying out fine. This afternoon she’s actually laid an egg and done a large wet poo but I can still feel what I thought was an egg in her abdomen. Not sure the photos show much!