Eggbound and busted

[fishin_dad]

My 6 month old KC duck was walking funny so I checked her out and she was egg bound. I tried gently messaging the egg out but it felt soft on one end. I don't know what to do. I sanitized my hands and attempted to feel the egg but I could not feel it other than through tissue. Any advice. I cannot afford a vet bill at this time unfortunately.

 

[ChickNanny13]

I don't know ducks but will try get some help ...

@Kiki @casportpony @Miss Lydia @WVduckchick
Thank you in advance for any help

 

[Kiki]

You felt and egg and you know if broke inside her?

 

[fishin_dad]

You felt and egg and you know if broke inside her?

I could feel the egg close to the vent but the end further away fro. The vent feels soft or broken
.

 

[Isaac 0]

Sorry, no one has been able to help further.

How is she doing now?

Could you post a picture of her, and her vent area?

 

[WVduckchick]

Sorry, I’m not sure how to help either, other than suggesting a relaxing bath, might help her to pass it.
How long has she been laying?

 

[DuckyDonna]

Calcium Gluconate, 1ml orally should get the egg out hopefully. It's not expensive and at tractor supply.

 

[ChickNanny13]

We're trying to "picture" what you're seeing ... How is your duck today?
Are you sure the egg broke in her or are you assuming it did?
As recommended a warm soaking bath with Epsom Salt may help her "push" it out. Keep her in a warm, dark area to help relax her (I know it's for chickens but ...)
@DuckyDonna Wonder if that would help chickens too? I crush up Calcium tablets or even Tums for chickens.

 

[DuckyDonna]

We're trying to "picture" what you're seeing ... How is your duck today?
Are you sure the egg broke in her or are you assuming it did?
As recommended a warm soaking bath with Epsom Salt may help her "push" it out. Keep her in a warm, dark area to help relax her (I know it's for chickens but ...)
@DuckyDonna Wonder if that would help chickens too? I crush up Calcium tablets or even Tums for chickens.

I'm really not sure about chickens. Ironically I grew up on a massive chicken farm and yet learned nothing! I was a kid but we had no less than 3000 chickens at any time. I helped my grama with cleaning and candleing the eggs but, like I said, I was a kid and didn't really pay that much attention.

Fast forward to now. I know that calcium citrate tablets (for people) can be ground up and given for egg shells that are thin or soft. Calcium gluconate is what I give to ducks that can't pass the egg and so far it's worked for me every time. I've had a couple of ducks who were a mess with being egg bound. I mean, truly a mess! They couldn't even walk. I gave them 1 ml of calcium gluconate and they were good to go the next day. I even dyed a vent one time. Blue. I was so glad to see a blue egg the next day and it was huge.

 

[Isaac 0]

Wonder if that would help chickens too? I crush up Calcium tablets or even Tums for chickens.

It can be used with chickens.

I have given it to a couple of mine, I usually just stick a 22 gauge needle right into the subcutaneous layer of skin, near the interscapular region. I have given it orally the same amount of times as well, but I personally prefer the SQ route since gluconate can cause irritation of the throat in some birds. It can also be given IM, but I don't think I'll ever feel like tipping an egg-bound chicken on its back ever.

Ideally, if the bird isn't drinking, fluids should be given in conjunction with the gluconate.