Egg bound or something else?

[Little Coop]

It was a single yolk, just huge. She's still alert, sitting down in her crate (I did all the recommended things...isolated, quiet room, clean crate, free water (with Vi-Tal), and she did pass some runny stool earlier. How and what calcium should be administered?

I sure appreciate your answering all these questions! We've had chickens off and on for years, just never ran into this before.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

I did a search of the previous thread that you posted on for the discussion on calcium. Here is the link to the page:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/866068/egg-bound/140#post_13102397

The exact dose is in post #144, but somewhere else I have read to just give a tums tablet. I haven't actually had to give calcium before, but it seems that a couple of folks swear by it on that thread.

 

[Little Coop]

I got the dosage, but not how to administer it. How does one persuade a hen to take a Tums? She got up and stood almost normally for a little while, is now settled back down. Other than her comb still flopped over, she looks normal. I just palpated her again, and do not feel anything hard, so am starting to think you're right about it perhaps not being egg related. She has the calcium/electrolyte water, a little feed, and we'll see how she fares through the night. Thank you again for all your info, links, and patience! I'll update tomorrow morning.

 

[Little Coop]

So, this morning, she is still alert, has passed a little poop (since she's not really eating, we didn't expect much), still sits most of the time but has moved around to get to food and water. She seemed to enjoy a fresh grass seedhead. Still appears to be trying to pass something. She still carries her tail very low when moving. Upshot is essentially no change which is better than I had expected.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Well, at least she is not worse. Since she seems to be trying to pass an egg, then the calcium is probably worth a try. When trying to give solid medicine, hiding it is a soft treat is the best bet. Any soft treat that she is used to, so she takes it without examining it too closely has the most promise. When I gave an aspirin to a my chicken, I cut it to the right size and wrapped it in soft wheat bread. I have read others have used pieces of grape.

You could probably cut it in pieces and shove it down the throat, too, but if you can find a treat that works, it sure would be less stressful. Heck, it will be easier than giving a cat a pill, LOL ...at least I hope so.

Your hen is in a fairly warm spot this time of year, but it still might not hurt to put a little lamp in the corner of her enclosure ( or maybe a heating pad). If she finds it relaxing she might seek the warmth, and it is easier that giving her lots of warm baths.

I hope something works for her.

 

[Little Coop]

Good ideas! I'll have to run to the store to get Tums...mine are peppermint flavored and expired in Nov 2012, so am guessing not the best ones to use. Her favorite soft treat is a June bug or grub, so the hunt is on!

 

[Little Coop]

RIR passed overnight. She quit eating couple days sgo - knew when she turned down fresh grasshoppers that the end was near. Interestingly, she did not show any signs of discomfort...just quietly shut down over a couple of days. She did pass one more of those "lash" eggs, and had no problems pooping, drinking. So, since I have no intention of performing an autopsy, I will continue to assume that the huge egg was the problem. Anyone have any idea what would cause such a thing?

 

[iwiw60]

So very sorry for your loss. Both you and she fought the good fight...it just wasn't meant to be. Thanks for letting us know.

 

[Little Coop]

I guess the good news is that her eight coop mates seem hale and hearty, laying normally. I am about to introduce three youngsters, about four months old, to the brood. Any suggestions? The older ones are not welcoming, turn into velociraptors as soon as the young ones enter the zone. Right now, they're in the coop in a big dog crate for orientation, but I'd like to turn them loose as soon as possible. Tips?

 

[iwiw60]

I guess the good news is that her eight coop mates seem hale and hearty, laying normally. I am about to introduce three youngsters, about four months old, to the brood. Any suggestions? The older ones are not welcoming, turn into velociraptors as soon as the young ones enter the zone. Right now, they're in the coop in a big dog crate for orientation, but I'd like to turn them loose as soon as possible. Tips?

For now the answer would be a definite no to allowing the little ones in with the big ones. If they are pecking and harrassing the little ones as you state, if you were to turn them loose it would definitely turn bloody, and you don't want that. Try to figure out a way to set up some chicken wire to "divide" the run so they can see them and 'them' can see 'they' ... this will take up to 2-3 weeks approximately. Let us know how it goes!!