Egg bound hen?? *Pics*

[bhawk-23]

You need to give her the calcium supplement, 600mg is ideal, religiously every day until she absorbs enough calcium to quit producing these shell-less eggs. That's the only remedy for it. It might help to include a little magnesium along with the D3 for better absorption.

This is a dangerous situation, as I suspect you realize. One of these shell-less eggs are going to get stuck eventually, creating a crisis for her again.

Yes, I do realize this is not a good situation. I am confused as to how/why this is happening. I could equate it with changing from layer crumbles to pellets maybe? They don't love it but they also free range all day and have access to calcium constantly. I will pick up layer crumbles tomorrow!

I will definitely keep up the calcium, start the antibiotic tomorrow and I have magnesium (200mg) already, how much should I give?

I really really appreciate you taking the time to help me through all of this. I cannot convey how thankful I am
-Cara

 

[casportpony]

@azygous

So she is not doing so great today. She is up and moving but puffed and didn't take my treat. I put her in a warm bath, dried her some and stuck her in the coop. Within 10 minutes she laid another soft egg.

So Friday night she had the collapsed egg in her poo and then a soft shelled egg 30-60 minutes after. Yesterday, she looked good free ranging with the flock and roosted with them all night. Today, not so good. After the bath another soft shelled egg. Do you have any thoughts about what could possibly be going on? Why so many soft shells? They have layer feed in the run and we switched to all flock during the day 1 week ago (we have 3 week chicks free ranging now too) with access to oyster shell in the yard. They mostly free range though. I will get the antibiotic tomorrow.

Sorry your hen is sick. if a vet is an option, I suggest taking her ASAP because I think she might have an infection in her reproductive tract. To treat an infection like this you will need a strong antibiotic like Baytril, penicillin is very unlikely to work.

 

[bhawk-23]

I am very appreciative of everyone's input. Especially @azygous for taking the time to help me understand more and how to work on it over the weekend. I believe you helped me get through, helped Lizzy be a bit more comfortable, and kept a bad situation from potentionally becoming deadly. I am also going to keep all your suggested items on hand from now on. I am truly grateful. Thank you!

I did decide to bring her to the vet because I am so new with chickens. They said they would demonstrate doing exams and treatment (if needed) so I can better assess in the future. This will help me with all my chickens!

I'll report back after she gets her diagnosis and treatment and is feeling much better!

Thank you again.

 

[azygous]

Here's a new article you inspired me to write last night. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ng-from-vent-prolapse-oh-my-what-to-do.76124/

You could bookmark it for future reference.

 

[bhawk-23]

So some of the issues you listed in the article Lizzy has had. Double yolk eggs, though they've slowed down as she ages, and super large eggs occasionally. I also was aware that her breed, ISA Browns, are more susceptible to reproductive issues and have that on my radar.
And I'm glad I'm not the only one who spies on their hens laying habits. Hahaha

 

[bhawk-23]

So vet said she looks ok for now. No egg is stuck and looks healthy. She thinks part of the problem may have been stress. I switched to pellets, have 12 chicks running around with a mama hen who has jumped on Lizzy twice for getting too close AND we've had an issue with hawks flying over the last couple weeks.

Plan of action is to continue calcium and feed the crumbles. We already put a hawk net up last Friday so hopefully that will do it's job. Not sure what to do about the chicks free ranging with everyone. I do know Lizzy stays away and mama hen is getting less protective of someone coming near as the chicks get bigger.
I believe the help I got this weekend to allow me a quick reaction staved off a real threat. Giving the calcium and getting the eggs removed quickly each time kept her healthy. Lizzy and I were both lucky this time!

 

[bhawk-23]

Lizzy just laid her first normal egg! Crisis averted! Thanks @azygous !