Egg bound

[cherrynberry]

We have an egg bound hen, and for the warm epsom salt bath, we don’t have epsom salt, will just warm water work?

or will sea salt work in replacement of the epsom salt?

 

[shawluvsbirds]

@Wyorp Rock ?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Epsom salt is different I think. At least it tastes different than sea salt. (I may have tried both when I was younger.)

I would try just a regular bath with no salt for now, but if one of the more experienced members says it will work, then go ahead.

Another thing to do for an egg bound hen is give it some extra calcium if you have not already. (500 mg straight into her beak, calcium citrate for humans works)


I hope she gets better!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We have an egg bound hen, and for the warm epsom salt bath, we don’t have epsom salt, will just warm water work?

or will sea salt work in replacement of the epsom salt?

Yes, just use warm water if you don't have epsom salts.

Good suggestion from @Lemon-Drop if she's egg bound, I would try to get the Calcium into her, this can help with contractions/pushing the egg.

Another thing on the soaking...if your hen is really lethargic, it's better to put her in a steamed up bathroom instead of getting her wet. Sometimes putting a hen in water if she's in a lot of distress or very unwell can cause them to go into shock and die.

Do the best you can. Do you fee the egg?

 

[cherrynberry]

Yes, just use warm water if you don't have epsom salts.

Good suggestion from @Lemon-Drop if she's egg bound, I would try to get the Calcium into her, this can help with contractions/pushing the egg.

Another thing on the soaking...if your hen is really lethargic, it's better to put her in a steamed up bathroom instead of getting her wet. Sometimes putting a hen in water if she's in a lot of distress or very unwell can cause them to go into shock and die.

Do the best you can. Do you fee the egg?

I could not feel an egg. I gave her two warm baths without salt. One for 5 minutes and then I added warmer water (the first was too cold/on the colder side). And gave her a warmer soak for 23 minutes. Then I wrapped her in a towel until she was 50% dry and then put her into her own brooder and gave her a heat lamp for the night. She is not looking good she started looking eggbound in the morning, but has not laid the egg yet. She did however poop 4 times. 2 were liquid, 1 was a diarrhea, and 1 was solid.

 

[cherrynberry]

I could not feel an egg. I gave her two warm baths without salt. One for 5 minutes and then I added warmer water (the first was too cold/on the colder side). And gave her a warmer soak for 23 minutes. Then I wrapped her in a towel until she was 50% dry and then put her into her own brooder and gave her a heat lamp for the night. She is not looking good she started looking eggbound in the morning, but has not laid the egg yet. She did however poop 4 times. 2 were liquid, 1 was a diarrhea, and 1 was solid.

Her abdomen is quite full, so I was wondering what if she has water belly? She walked like a penguin with her tail down which makes me think she is egg bound. She also eats a little, I was able to let her eat calcium.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I could not feel an egg. I gave her two warm baths without salt. One for 5 minutes and then I added warmer water (the first was too cold/on the colder side). And gave her a warmer soak for 23 minutes. Then I wrapped her in a towel until she was 50% dry and then put her into her own brooder and gave her a heat lamp for the night. She is not looking good she started looking eggbound in the morning, but has not laid the egg yet. She did however poop 4 times. 2 were liquid, 1 was a diarrhea, and 1 was solid.

Her abdomen is quite full, so I was wondering what if she has water belly? She walked like a penguin with her tail down which makes me think she is egg bound. She also eats a little, I was able to let her eat calcium.

You may be right that she has fluid/water belly (Ascites).
Is she still breathing ok? Sometimes if they have fluid they start to have a hard time breathing because of pressure on the air sacs.

Eating a little is fine, will she drink? Keeping hydrated is always a good thing. Is she well enough to move from the heat lamp if she gets too hot?

 

[cherrynberry]

You may be right that she has fluid/water belly (Ascites).
Is she still breathing ok? Sometimes if they have fluid they start to have a hard time breathing because of pressure on the air sacs.

Eating a little is fine, will she drink? Keeping hydrated is always a good thing. Is she well enough to move from the heat lamp if she gets too hot?

Yes, I have seen her moving toward the heat lamp and away from it. If she runs too fast, she breathes heavy. I really hope it’s NOT water belly though

 

[cherrynberry]

Yes, I have seen her moving toward the heat lamp and away from it. If she runs too fast, she breathes heavy. I really hope it’s NOT water belly though

I soften her feed with water so that she can stay hyrdrated. Have not seen her drink though and sadly our dog broke our last syringe...

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, I have seen her moving toward the heat lamp and away from it. If she runs too fast, she breathes heavy. I really hope it’s NOT water belly though

It's good that she's still able to move about a little. I wouldn't make her run right now, but it sounds like she could if she was inclined to do so.

If she's eating some, then likely she will drink too, but that's a good idea to offer some wet feed to get a little water into her.

When you feel her belly (below the vent between her legs) does it feel really tight like a drum or is it just firm?