Egg Bound or Soft Shell?

[jimla]

It was unusual that my 4 hens only produced 3 eggs the last two days. Last night at dusk I noticed one in the nest box as if laying. But today only 3 eggs. She scratched around with the others when i let them out of the run to free range. I noticed her feathers seemed a bit full below compared to the others when I picked her up and thought it might be an egg bound condition. Moments later I saw her standing and just staring and when I looked again she had laid an intact rubbery egg. I picked her up and her vent looked pink with no other indication of a problem and I did not feel anythng unusual in her lower abdomen. She went back to scratching and eventually back to the coop to roost. I noticed too that her feathers seemed like she was under stress. I had read here before about egg bound and hot water bath and massage but not a rubbery egg. I think my picking her up and handling her helped to pass it. Is there anything I need to do? Since she likely has not laid for two days is it likely there is another one bound or rubbery waiting to pass? What about impacted poop?

 

[Bluebee]

It seems as if she was just passing a rubbery egg. My hen had the same problem, but instead of going in the nesting box, she dropped the egg on the grass and stood over it, looking a bit sick.

A rubbery egg is most likely the result of to little calcium in the hen's body.

Put her back into the coop, and make sure she has plenty of laying feed, fresh water, and some sort of supply of calcium (eggshells, oyster shells, etc.). She should be ok and up and running around by the next morning.


Good luck and I hope she will be better soon!

 

[realsis]

look up lash eggs
that's what they are called and it will explain it a bit better
keep an eye on her for binding and follow above post advice
good luck hope this helps. best wishes

 

[jimla]

Thanks all. She was doing better the next mornng but no egg. I gave her some yogurt with crushed Tums. Then today she is laying again and acting normal. I'll keep and eye on her to see if it develops again.

 

[Bluebee]

Thanks all. She was doing better the next mornng but no egg. I gave her some yogurt with crushed Tums. Then today she is laying again and acting normal. I'll keep and eye on her to see if it develops again.

Ok! Glad to hear she is doing well!