Eggbound hen help please

[Gracie697]

I noticed yesterday my hen was trying to lay an egg without success, and shes still not able to lay it today. Just earlier she had a small part of it hanging out, and she also tried pooping/laying. Poop did come out, but the egg part was still there. So I grabbed some gloves and gently tried helping her. I managed to pull a small chunck off but then she sucked the rest back in. Any advice or help on what do to now?

 

[mypicklebird]

If you can see the egg, you can break the egg. If you see it out again, break it with your fingers. If you have already broken the end off (it sounds like you have?) put your finger in and hook it from the inside. If the egg is in her cloaca (last stop before out) this is where both the egg tract and the GI tract empty into- so as long as the egg is there- she cannot poop/pass urates. This is life threatening. She can also prolapse by pushing so hard. You can also pass a gloved finder IN- and probably feel the egg (and maybe break it). Do you have a local chicken friend who has dealt with this before, or a vet who will see chickens that can help you?

 

[Gracie697]

I did stick my finger in put couldnt feel it, and yes it was broken. I do have a nearby chicken friend, who I might need to go to it sounds like

 

[tammye]

I hear giving them a warm bath hepls with passing a stuck egg, soak her in a warm tub of water for 30 mins. at a time and put olive oil in and around her vent to lumbricate the area, I hope she does well, good luck

 

[tryxichicks]

Don't put her in water, its a common thing to do but it's wet...and you have to dry them. Please try this instead... place her in a doggy or kitty crate, or anything for that matter, put down something soft to lay on for her, bedding, a towel etc. Put the crate in the bathroom, NEXT to the bath. Run the bath as hot as you can, close the door and allow it to get really steamy for a few minutes. She should lay in the first 15 minutes. I was told this method by an avian specialist, and it has saved my girls before. If she doesn't lay right away offer her some water, or a little bread with dipped in olive oil, then try it again. Its much less stressful for them...That egg MUST come out. Try it asap. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Oh yea, and a water based lube like astroglide works well, but the most you push into her the more likely she is to get an infection.
PM me if you need anything!