Egg broke inside first-time layer! *Update- egg bound!

[kitkat5505]

*update on page 2*

One of my pullets was in the nesting box earlier for her first egg and I think my head hen forced her out of 'her' box when she was about to lay. I came out to check on her and she was in the run straining and I noticed egg running down her bottom. What do I do?!

1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.)

EE, 6 months. Don't know weight but feels same as always and my other EE.

2) What is the behavior, exactly.

Straining, wings spread a bit, walks slowly

3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms?

Just happened

4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms?

NA

5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma.

Looks like the vent is a little prolapsed and red

6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation.

Explained above

7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all.

Layer pellets, oyster shell available. Water available. Eating and drinking normally before, hasn't since this happened.

8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc.

Haven't noticed any poop yet

9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far?

Nothing, didn't want to make things worse by doing something wrong

10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet?

If possible I'd like to treat it myself, willing to find a vet if necessary as it's my son's pullet after his last one died and he'd be devastated if something happened to her.

11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help.

12) Describe the housing/bedding in use

4x6 Coop has pine shavings, AstroTurf in nesting boxes, DLM 6x12 run.

 

[azygous]

This is an awful shame. I know how you and your son must be feeling. You're probably correct that she's just had an egg delivery problem.

Others may be by shortly with better advice, but I suggest you prepare a nice warm Epsom bath soak for her and let her soak for at least twenty minutes, or half an hour. This will help cleanse, relax and maybe pass the remains of the egg.

The damage to her "egg works" may or may not be permanent. It may or may not result in infection. I just recently had this happen to an older hen, and I started her on an antibiotic immediately. While she may never lay again, it did seem to head off infection as she's behaving normally except for occasional "dry runs" in the nest box. You might think about an antibiotic for your little EE.

 

[kitkat5505]

This is an awful shame. I know how you and your son must be feeling. You're probably correct that she's just had an egg delivery problem.

Others may be by shortly with better advice, but I suggest you prepare a nice warm Epsom bath soak for her and let her soak for at least twenty minutes, or half an hour. This will help cleanse, relax and maybe pass the remains of the egg.

The damage to her "egg works" may or may not be permanent. It may or may not result in infection. I just recently had this happen to an older hen, and I started her on an antibiotic immediately. While she may never lay again, it did seem to head off infection as she's behaving normally except for occasional "dry runs" in the nest box. You might think about an antibiotic for your little EE.

What kind of antibiotic and where can I get it? I have a tractor supply nearby

 

[azygous]

I use amoxycillin or penicillin. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get them at TSC. I order mine online at KVsupply. Here are the products I order and keep on hand. https://www.kvsupply.com/Search.aspx?query=Fish Mox 250Mg 60Ct

They ship UPS immediately and you can get them pretty fast. Maybe your local vet could help you out with a few doses until your order arrives.

 

[kitkat5505]

I use amoxycillin or penicillin. Unfortunately, you won't be able to get them at TSC. I order mine online at KVsupply. Here are the products I order and keep on hand. https://www.kvsupply.com/Search.aspx?query=Fish Mox 250Mg 60Ct

They ship UPS immediately and you can get them pretty fast. Maybe your local vet could help you out with a few doses until your order arrives.

So, if I have this (kid had strep but had reaction to the amoxicillin so I have a lot left) would that work? And if so how much? Did a search but not finding much for chickens lol.

 

[azygous]

Perfect. The dose is one half a pill for your chicken.

I use 250mg capsules of amoxicillin and give one per day. Or you may give your little patient a quarter of a 400 mg pill twice a day for ten days. Your choice.

Just slip it into her beak onto her tongue and she will swallow.

 

[kitkat5505]

Thanks! I did find another old thread where someone said 1/2ml of the liquid which would be 200mg so sounds right. My husband is picking up gloves right now so when he gets home I'll let her soak in an epsom salt bath for a bit then see if I can get the shell out and give her some antibiotics.

 

[Eggcessive]

Your amoxicillin supension is 400 mg per tsp or 5 ml, according to your picture. Dosage for a 5 pound chicken is 100mg 3 times a day, or 150mg twice a day. 100mg equals 0.8 ml. 150 mg equals 1.4 ml Shake the bottle well before drawing up a dose, and keep refrigerated.
Feed stores do carry injectable penicillin in the refrigerated cattle medicines. But amoxicillin would be better.

Edited for my terrible math skills. 100mg equals 1.25 ml, and 150 mg equals 1.9 ml.

 

[azygous]

Our @Eggcessive to the rescue! Now you can be assured of knowing what you're doing. I neglected to notice that your amoxicillin was a liquid.

 

[#lovemychickens]

I'm so sorry! Hopefully she'll be okay. Please keep us posted on how she's doing. Hang in there!