Egg Problems? Egg Bound?

[Awestruck]

I noticed my barred rock had her hiney in the air with stuff hanging out from it. Part of it was an egg membrane. She stayed in this position a long time. I brought her in and let her sit in a tub of warm water with epsom salts. I massaged the vent area, which looked totally clean. After I let her sit there a while, I took her out and put her back outside. I noticed that there was something hanging from her vent area again. What could be wrong, and what can I do to help? Thanks for any and all help. Also, that whole area looks bare, like the feathers are gone around it. Not sure why.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you get a picture of her vent? Is there more membrane or parts of an egg? She has either laid just a membrane or has had a shell-less egg break inside. I would glove up and insert a finger just inside her vent to feel for anyegg matter, membrane, or a stuck egg. Shell-less eggs are especially hard ro pass, and when they have egg troubles, they may feel really sick and weak. I would bring her in, and keep her in a crate or pen with food and water. Give her 1/2 human calcium tablet or a Tums orally or in some egg. Tums is sometimes too much flavor, so it can be cut in half and given in the back of the throat.

Do you have any antibiotics such as Baytril, cipro, or amoxicillin?

 

[Awestruck]

This might be a stupid question, but, I am not sure which opening is the vent. There was an obvious opening that was pretty big, but it may have been the anus. Whatever it was, it looked like it was reacting and trying to let something out. It is the opening on the top, and it looked very clean. Nothing was in it that I could see.

 

[RoosterML]

I just culled an egg bound hen this morning. Enough was enough. I don't like seeing an animal suffer. She laid one pullet egg and that was it.
RIP

I hope you fair better.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is not a stupid question. We all are learning about our chickens when it is new. There is only one opening—the vent or the cloaca where both the large intestine meets the oviduct. To check for egg binding you only have to insert one finger about an inch. It will feel soft if there is no egg there. Here is a good diagram:

 

[Awestruck]

It is not a stupid question. We all are learning about our chickens when it is new. There is only one opening—the vent or the cloaca where both the large intestine meets the oviduct. To check for egg binding you only have to insert one finger about an inch. It will feel soft if there is no egg there. Here is a good diagram:

View attachment 1697543

Thanks. That's helpful.

 

[Awestruck]

Gave her a warm bath with epsom salts water, 2 days in a row. Also put some coconut oil on her rear end. I think I did feel an egg in there. She is defecating though. Her rear end is very red and still bare. I'll keep doing this as long as I am able to until she gets well.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Gave her a warm bath with epsom salts water, 2 days in a row. Also put some coconut oil on her rear end. I think I did feel an egg in there. She is defecating though. Her rear end is very red and still bare. I'll keep doing this as long as I am able to until she gets well.

Can you post some photos of her and the vent?
Will she eat/drink on her own?
Does she act like she's in distress?
The soaking is good - I would make sure she is drinking well. Give her some calcium as suggested in the previous posts.

Keep us posted.

 

[Awestruck]

Today she joined the others for a while. It looked like she was nibbling on the grass. Later on she went off by herself, but she was with the group for a while. I don't think she did that yesterday. Still needs to lay an egg though.

 

[Eggcessive]

Hopefully she is feeling better. Many use an antibiotic when they have had an egg break or during periods of egg laying difficulties. Baytril is best, but some also use amoxicillin.