Duck has egg in abdomen? Help!

[Tilly6]

I was looking at the ducks today and one of the Rouen, hatched this Spring, looks like there is an egg in her abdomen.

I wasn’t able to catch her and feel, I don’t have anyone around to help me until after school.

Is the egg mislaid inside? Do I get her to the vet? Should I put her out of her misery before it starts to rot and kill her?

This is the first day I noticed anything wrong. She is not acting off in any way, totally normal at this point.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Tilly6,

Stay calm, if your duck isn't showing signs of distress, you have time. I had this happen to one of my hens a year ago.

Give her some calcium, hopefully it will get things going. Crush two Tums or Rolaids (calcium carbonate) tablets or calcium supplement tablets for people. Then, mix with some cream corn, or applesauce, or anything mushy, and offer it to her.

A warm soak in some Epsom Salt bath will also help. Then, while she is wrapped in a towel, squirt some olive oil in the vent, use you finger to gently spread it around.

Give her some time to pass the egg. My hen passed the egg about 30 minutes after.


You'll know the hen is in distress, she'll be fluffed up, sitting and straining, not interested in food or water, or vocalizing quacking a lot, going in and out of the nest.

Here is a link to an excellent article here on BYC, about egg binding and what to do.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

If you don't feel comfortable about doing more to get the egg out, then, you may have to get her to a Vet.

Hope this is useful to you.

God Bless!

 

[BantyChooks]

Looks like just normal pouching up to me... it's seen in laying/almost laying females.

 

[Tilly6]

Thanks guys, I will catch her and see if I feel an egg before starting any treatment. I feel much better knowing it could pass if it is an egg.

 

[Tilly6]

I caught her! We didn’t feel anything like an egg at all. She felt like all duck. I will keep an eye on her and keep the calcium and Epsom salts handy but I don’t think I’ll need them. Thanks for calming me down and for the advice and links!

 

[hereorthere]

Looks like just normal pouching up to me... it's seen in laying/almost laying females.

x2. My ducks have been looking like this for the past week or so.....waiting patiently for that first egg!

 

[BantyChooks]

I caught her! We didn’t feel anything like an egg at all. She felt like all duck. I will keep an eye on her and keep the calcium and Epsom salts handy but I don’t think I’ll need them. Thanks for calming me down and for the advice and links!

Great.

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Yea!! You are taking good care of your ducks!

 

[chickens really]

Take about ten steps back...Do not panick...Hens lay eggs and most times it's never and issue..
Best of luck and do not worry..Oyster shell is all that's needed..