Egg Bound

[BellaBlueBell]

My girl went into the coop but not to roost. She was, once again, in the corner of the coop with her head shoved against the wall. I took her out and put her back in the basement to keep her warm tonight. She feels like she has lost weight. She was out pecking around the yard today - can't say how much she may have eaten. I put down some treats and the others went for it right away, but she did not. However, her poop looks normal - it's formed, not watery and smells normal.

Any ideas?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Update: I don't know what to think. No egg has passed. I kept her indoors for two nights, gave her 2 Epsom salts baths each day. No egg. She is eating a bit (oatmeal, raisins, mealworms) and pooping normally, although not as much. This morning, she looked good, I felt no egg, so I put her out with the 2 leghorns. She is pecking around, no squatting. The leghorns are bullying her a bit, so I'm keeping watch to see how the day goes.

My girl went into the coop but not to roost. She was, once again, in the corner of the coop with her head shoved against the wall. I took her out and put her back in the basement to keep her warm tonight. She feels like she has lost weight. She was out pecking around the yard today - can't say how much she may have eaten. I put down some treats and the others went for it right away, but she did not. However, her poop looks normal - it's formed, not watery and smells normal.

Any ideas?

Sorry that she's still not doing well.
She may be having reproductive issues as mentioned previously.
If possible, take a sample of poop to your vet to see if worms are contributor to her decline.
I would get some calcium into her along with poultry vitamins. Encourage her to eat her normal feed and add in a little extra protein (egg, meat, fish). Check to make sure her crop is emptying overnight and I would also feel her abdomen below the vent between the legs for bloat or fluid.

Sadly, reproductive issues can be quite common in laying hens, it can be frustrating since a hen may seem to get better for a while only to slip back into decline. They can go through this cycle several times - it just depends on the hen and what's going on. If you happen to lose her, doing a necropsy or sending the body for one will give better information.

She may be having trouble with a soft shelled egg or she may be showing signs of a reproductive disorder like Internal Laying, Peritonitis, cancer, etc.

 

[BellaBlueBell]

Last night I put an egg in her crate. She has rolled the egg into the straw. Could she be broody? She is eating very little. I've just given her oatmeal and raisins and she finished off the raisins within seconds. Also pecking at the oyster shell. Poops are still normal.

 

[Racegirl178]

Last night I put an egg in her crate. She has rolled the egg into the straw. Could she be broody? She is eating very little. I've just given her oatmeal and raisins and she finished off the raisins within seconds. Also pecking at the oyster shell. Poops are still normal.

Any updates? I’m having the same issue Mine started to do better after the bath. Not 100% but I noticed improvement. More active. Now today I’ve seen her go to the nesting box a few times. Not sure what to do. Should I give her tums? Or will that stop her from laying?

 

[BellaBlueBell]

I think there is some improvement - she is not squatting around the yard so much. But I'm still concerned. Her flock mates are pecking at her at times. She hung out with them all day and is back in the coop tonight. Still laying on the coop floor rather than on the roost.

I'm no expert but from what I understand, calcium will help laying by supporting the muscles that contract for egg laying. In other words, the tums can't hurt. I bought oyster shells and have mixed a little in their food to get them the calcium they need. Also, the Epsom salts baths provide magnesium that relaxes muscles.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Last night I put an egg in her crate. She has rolled the egg into the straw. Could she be broody? She is eating very little. I've just given her oatmeal and raisins and she finished off the raisins within seconds. Also pecking at the oyster shell. Poops are still normal.

I think there is some improvement - she is not squatting around the yard so much. But I'm still concerned. Her flock mates are pecking at her at times. She hung out with them all day and is back in the coop tonight. Still laying on the coop floor rather than on the roost.

I'm no expert but from what I understand, calcium will help laying by supporting the muscles that contract for egg laying. In other words, the tums can't hurt. I bought oyster shells and have mixed a little in their food to get them the calcium they need. Also, the Epsom salts baths provide magnesium that relaxes muscles.

Offer the oyster shell free choice.

It's not uncommon for any hen to pull or roll an egg to her when in a nesting box.

 

[BellaBlueBell]

2nd Update: Shirley is fine. She is laying eggs once again. I think she may have quit due to shorter days. We added some light and she's back in business. What I don't know ...

 

[Sally PB]

Glad to hear that! Hugs for both of you.

 

[maryn7]

That's great. I'd gotten advice when I had a sick pullet that I thought was eggbound to get a calcium vitamin tablet into her crop (where it can be broken up). Sadly, that wasn't what was wrong with her - likely a reproductive disorder - but I always keep them on hand now just in case. Hope she continues to improve and best of luck.