Egg-bound chicken?

[Georgiachick18]

The story continues. I brought some watermelon to her tonight and for the first time she perked up and she ate almost all of it. At that point, she stood up and looked as if she was trying to lay an egg. I did another exam on her and gently felt what I believe is an egg. Then it appeared there was some yolk like material in her duct. I really do think that she’s egg bound. My question is do I try again to put her in another warm soak or do I let her try to work through this. I hope that the egg hasn’t cracked inside her. Worried.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If she is alert, then you can try another soak. She may be struggling with a soft shell egg that is stuck or has even collapsed since you are seeing yolk material.
Gently feel inside to feel for an egg, but don't stress her too much.
Getting her hydrated is important, if she will eat the watermelon, so be it. Try to get some calcium into her as well. Tums or Caltrate work for this.

 

[Georgiachick18]

I gave her two Tums (turned into a powder) in a yogurt and water mixture via a dropper and then the warm bath. She really brightened up after that; I think the calcium made a huge difference. It looked like she was still trying to lay but no success. She is sleeping standing up with her head tucked into her feathers for the first time since she became ill. She had been just sitting until tonight. I do notice a bit of gurgling in her stomach. Not sure what that’s about. Should I try to repeat this procedure again tomorrow with the calcium, while keeping her hydrated? I believe a calcium deficiency may be the issue, even though she did have access to it in the coop. It made an immediate difference. Thank you for your wise words!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It won't hurt to give her the calcium again tomorrow.
I'm glad she is perking up a bit.

 

[Georgiachick18]

I just went out to check on her in the garage. And when I did, she expelled some yolk-like material. I’m assuming getting it out is what we want but what does it mean if this is a soft shell or no shell egg? Is this dangerous? On a post I read someone mentioned using salt water to try to clean out a hen when there was a broken egg. I found an egg with no shell in a nesting box several months ago but didn’t know who it belonged to.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you happen to take a photo of that?

I would not try to flush the oviduct, you risk pushing bacteria up inside causing infection.

It really sounds like she is having problems laying internally or has something like Peritonitis. All you can do is wait and see if she expels more.
I would finish the Tylan that the vet gave you hopefully that will help with any infection.

 

[Georgiachick18]

I did take a photo. She passed a little bit more of the same material this morning. See attached.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I did take a photo. She passed a little bit more of the same material this morning. See attached.

I'm not sure, but my gut says she has Salpingitis. The Tylan50 may be helping with infection.
Can you take a sample of that to your vet for testing? She may need a different antibiotic like Amoxicillin, but it would be hard to know. With reproductive problems, antibiotics can help, but usually the results are short lived.

 

[Georgiachick18]

I have to say, I am blown away by your knowledge. You’re helping me hone in on things that would not be found, otherwise. I did read about this condition and, you’re right, it looks very similar to what she is expelling. I’m going to take in the material shortly to see if the vet can determine what it is, bacterially. I don’t know if he’s ever seen anything like this before.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have to say, I am blown away by your knowledge. You’re helping me hone in on things that would not be found, otherwise. I did read about this condition and, you’re right, it looks very similar to what she is expelling. I’m going to take in the material shortly to see if the vet can determine what it is, bacterially. I don’t know if he’s ever seen anything like this before.

Your very kind I'm hoping I'm wrong. I try to learn something new everyday, we are all here to learn, share and help each other the best we can.
Let us know what the vet says.