Eggbound? Tried epsom baths, olive oil, massage... going on day 3...

[Melky]

If anyone is using artificial lighting this should stop to prevent stimulation to lay.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

@EggSighted4Life
When I was giving her a bath I had tried sticking a finger in her vent but it felt super wrong I don't know what the heck I'm doing or what exactly I'm feeling for or how far to go.. thinking to myself is this even the right hole... do chickens have more than one hole?! ...nervous laughter... help.. haha
So it sounds like I should take her to the vet come pay day. I'll give those sites a look.. thanks so much!
-Mikala

Yes, I have been there too.

similar issue with my 1 1/2 year old sweadish flower hen

So much better on paper than in reality... the ONLY breed I ever lost to binding... sadly after a short stent in the broody breaker.

 

[PirateGirl]

I just went through this this week. I don't know if I can help or not. I tried two soaks and feeding calcium. My chicken seemed to like the baths, but did not pass an egg. Also I have not really been getting eggs due to molt, so no one has laid recently, so I don't know when she last actually laid. At this point, since it has been a few days, I think you must insert a finger if you want to help at all. I was suggested these two articles and found them helpful.

https://the-chicken-chick.com/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/

If eggbound, generally the egg is within the very last part of production close to the exit, like within an inch or two, so you will be able to feel it with a finger. If you reach in and feel the egg, these articles can guide you in helping her to pass it. I was scared to reach in, but really, after a few days of this behavior, time is important, and it wasn't difficult, though having a second person to hold the chicken would help. If you can't feel the egg, it may be one of the other things that others have mentioned, unfortunately, most of the other things that cause similar symptoms cannot be cured

 

[Muthaofchickens]

@Melky & @EggSighted4Life Should I continue with the epsom salt baths or anything else until I can get her proper help? She seems to really enjoy the baths.. I just want her to be as comfortable as possible
Thanks

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She seems to really enjoy the baths.

I would once or twice per day... since she is enjoying them and not causing extra stress.

 

[Muthaofchickens]

@PirateGirl I read those articles and gave the feeling process a second go... Cut my fingernails.. ha.. put on gloves and put a big wad of vaseline on my finger and put my whole finger in there and didn't feel anything.. just made her go poop(this is the right hole right?). So I guess this isn't good news. Anywho thanks so much for your time. -Mikala

 

[Melky]

@Melky & @EggSighted4Life Should I continue with the epsom salt baths or anything else until I can get her proper help? She seems to really enjoy the baths.. I just want her to be as comfortable as possible
Thanks

Yes and you may consider applying K-y jelly or Vaseline in the vent opening to help lubricate in case something can be passed. Provide oyster shell free choice. Can give calcium by giving crushed tums see here for instruction how to relieve yourself. The extra calcium will help with contractions to expel the egg if able due to egg binding. If you can feel with gloved hand lubricated with jelly an egg inside the vent. Massaging the abdomen while trying to remove the egg is sometimes a possibility. Don’t want to break egg. If egg broken then may need to sweep with fingers and syringe out broken shell and egg. Can flush with turkey baster full of plain water if believe egg broken in oviduct. In this described procedure it does say you can break the egg with needle less syringe as last resort if first measures do not work. See procedure here. Should have hen isolated with own food/water and supplements in covered crate. Only things I know to do and try.
https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/safely-treating-an-egg-bound-hen/

 

[casportpony]

If you did he exam and did not feel an egg then there is a good chance she is not egg bound, though it can be hard the feel a shell-less egg.

Other things, like ascites, peritonitis, cancer, or salpingitis can cause the penguin stance.

Does her belly feel bloated?

When you did the exam, were her insides smooth, or did you feel any pimple like nodules?

 

[PirateGirl]

My experience was the same as yours, including the poop. I didn't feel anything. Even externally palpating her abdomen it felt swollen, but I could not feel a mass of any sort that would actually be an egg. So then the problem is possibly further up the tract, which is bad, more likely internal laying and/or infection, or from what I understand acites, which is caused by heart and/or liver failure I believe. All of the possibilities I found were essentially terminal, eventually. Hopefully others can help point you in the direction of other things that may be wrong that you may be able to treat. Sadly my hen passed approximately 48 hours after the whole ordeal seemed to begin.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Yes...chickens only have one hole the “vent”. Calcium really does help if she’s bound. Your finger won’t hurt her. Good job on using gloves. If you have Tums... break it up hide it in a piece of grape or a
Ball of bread.