Egg bound or something else? Help☹️

[Shellybob]

Just wondering what the next step would be if epsom salt baths, vaseline lubed and calcium supp hasnt worked. My girl Lulu(2yrs old) hasn’t laid for a couple of months now. Her poop is normal, I think I can feel an egg deep but, not sure. She has low energy and just started limping a few days ago. Anything else it might be or that I can do? Thank you everyone.

 

[coach723]

If she hasn't laid in a couple of months it's not likely to be egg binding. Something else has caused the stoppage. Do you see any signs of molting? They commonly molt in late summer/early fall, but some do it earlier or later, and that will stop them laying until it's complete. She also could be having a reproductive disorder.

 

[Shellybob]

If she hasn't laid in a couple of months it's not likely to be egg binding. Something else has caused the stoppage. Do you see any signs of molting? They commonly molt in late summer/early fall, but some do it earlier or later, and that will stop them laying until it's complete. She also could be having a reproductive disorder.

Yes she is molting. She was one of the best layers too. But, the limping?

 

[coach723]

The limping may be a separate issue, it's hard to say. Sometimes when they are molting they don't feel good and don't eat well, so giving a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule (one that contains all the b's, human ones from any pharmacy) once daily can be helpful, deficiencies in the b's can cause neuromuscular symptoms. I've had birds with balance issues or walking like they're drunk, and the b's took care of it. It's also possible that she just tweaked it somehow and it's a sprain or strain, if that's the case then rest and time should take care of it. I would just keep an eye on her. Molt can last several months, If she's not eating well (they often don't, the new feathers are sensitive and uncomfortable so they will often avoid contact with other birds, so may not approach crowded feeders) then try adding extra feeders and giving some higher protein treats like canned tuna or cooked or scrambled eggs. If I know a bird is having issues with molt I will sometimes remove them from the run long enough to feed them something separately, so I know they get it. Then put them back with the others.

 

[Shellybob]

If she hasn't laid in a couple of months it's not likely to be egg binding. Something else has caused the stoppage. Do you see any signs of molting? They commonly molt in late summer/early fall, but some do it earlier or later, and that will stop them laying until it's complete. She also could be having a reproductive

The limping may be a separate issue, it's hard to say. Sometimes when they are molting they don't feel good and don't eat well, so giving a b complex or super b complex tablet or capsule (one that contains all the b's, human ones from any pharmacy) once daily can be helpful, deficiencies in the b's can cause neuromuscular symptoms. I've had birds with balance issues or walking like they're drunk, and the b's took care of it. It's also possible that she just tweaked it somehow and it's a sprain or strain, if that's the case then rest and time should take care of it. I would just keep an eye on her. Molt can last several months, If she's not eating well (they often don't, the new feathers are sensitive and uncomfortable so they will often avoid contact with other birds, so may not approach crowded feeders) then try adding extra feeders and giving some higher protein treats like canned tuna or cooked or scrambled eggs. If I know a bird is having issues with molt I will sometimes remove them from the run long enough to feed them something separately, so I know they get it. Then put them back with the others.

Thank you, this makes me feel more hopeful for her. Her appetite has not been great but, she is still eating. She has chickcation time in the kennel in my house often and gets plenty of special treats. My girls free range every day also. They get scratch n peck layer feed and grower too since my teenagers were just released into the flock recently and its hard to feed everyone seperately. Will get some B vitamins in her right away! Thanks again!