Eggbound hen, don't feel an egg, need advice

[ace6175]

My 2 1/2 year old RIR/BA mix hen has been trying to lay an egg for at least a day. I brought her into the house last night when she was hunched up in the nest box instead of roosting.
Since then, I have given her a little mixture of ground calcium supplement, yogurt & honey on her beak. She has access to food & water, but isn't eating. I gave her a warm bath last night, and this morning lubed her vent & tried to feel for an egg. Her abdomen feels full, but I don't feel a lump like an egg. She is pushing & pushing but nothing comes out (except a little watery poop). I'm really getting worried, especially since she isn't eating. Has anyone had experience with this? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[casportpony]

If you can't feel an egg in the normal spot she's not egg bound. Do some research on ascites, internal laying, oviduct cancer and EYP, any of those could cause the symptoms you're seeing. Check again for a shell-less egg, but be gentle, 'cause you don't want to break one of those.

FWIW, I have given mine whole calcium pills, 500-1000mg.











-Kathy

 

[ace6175]

How do you get a large supplement down their throats?

 

[casportpony]

Open mouth, insert pill and massage down into crop. FYI, I have done this with Old English Game Bantams.

-Kathy

 

[ace6175]

Gave her a calcium/magnesium supplement, got some water in her, tried to feel if there is an egg, but didn't want to push too hard.......didn't feel anything. She is still "contracting" trying to pass something. Is there anything else I can try? I'm just letting her rest now.

 

[ace6175]

If anyone has any other advice, please let me know. I have now jabbed her with a needle to drain in case she is full of fluid, just a little blood came out. Another warm bath & gyne exam - nothing. Not sure she will make it through the night.

 

[casportpony]

How much blood came out?

-Kathy

 

[ace6175]

just a couple drops...

 

[casportpony]

I've only drained a couple successfully and one died while I tried, so I can't offer any advice on how to do it.

-Kathy

 

[hensintheHOUse]

I won't drain her, which is very risky.

For example, my dog had hematoma that a lot of blood in his ear because he shook his ear so much. I wanted to take him to a vet to fix( drain) immediately. But it was not necessary.
A lot of people take their dogs to the vet to drain , but more likely come back ,and also be greater of getting infection as well.
I heard that a vet said that just leave it alone, it will be gone in a few weeks naturally. That is true. My dog's ear went back to almost normal. He needs another several days to heal completely.


For the problem, I see that as a kind of same thing.
Let her fight against infections by her immune system to flush out the fluids. By giving her food and antibiotics.

That is my thought.