Emergency!!! Egg bound hen with Huge egg visible inside vent please help!!!

[azygous]

I'd go with what @casportpony suggested. You have nothing to lose.

If this is successful, be sure she's started on amoxicillin.

 

[allbirds4me]

@Allsfairinloveandbugs, if you can still see the shell, get something with a bluntish tip, like a Philips screwdriver, place it on the shell and tap the handle with a hammer, then syringe out the egg contents and collapse the shell. This is what I did once when this happened and the hen did recover.

that's a good idea.
Also, try some more calcium and if you have some mineral oil..(even olive oil) ,warmed up ky jelly to where it's almost liquid, etc. grease up her cloaca real well/massage it gently then try to squirt some up into the bird as far as possible , syringe without needle would work well here.
She has eggs backing up behind that one for sure.
If you could get her to a vet they prob. would give her a shot of pitocin to help contract the muscles around the oviduct.
That poor bird, we're all pulling for you and her.

 

[RoyalChick]

Just sending you lots of
I would go with @casportpony and @azygous suggest knowing it is a last effort.
Then just hold her and let her be calm and know she is loved.
She is a beautiful lady and when you feel up to it I for one would love to see you post some pictures of her as a tribute to the happy life she undoubtedly had with you.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

Hi @casportpony I know you are a medical expert on byc too, but also know you are now busy with other things so I didn't tag you. I will do as you suggest. I understand if it is a lash egg with "onion" layers, nothing will come out. Its now pouring rain but I can't get anything to post unless I go out by tree for reception. Going back inside now to try one more time. Will give her a calcium tablet first to cause contractions. (Gut says it will be futile, but I'm gonna try one more time) Thank you for all you advice and support everyone; it means a lot.

I was outside a bit ago tending to chickens before spring storms arrive, and there were other hens talking to me and following me around. The most special ones do that, same as this girl here always did. Her name is Shelly. No idea why I named her that; it just seemed to fit.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

@Allsfairinloveandbugs, if you can still see the shell, get something with a bluntish tip, like a Philips screwdriver, place it on the shell and tap the handle with a hammer, then syringe out the egg contents and collapse the shell. This is what I did once when this happened and the hen did recover.

Yes this I'd what I was trying explain the other night

 

[casportpony]

I understand if it is a lash egg with "onion" layers, nothing will come out.

If it has a shell I don't think it will be a lash egg. Good luck.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Just read through the whole thread. I'm sorry that you and your hen have to experience this. I hope you can help her and she recovers.

 

[azygous]

After all this is over, and the skies clear, you need to consider erecting a comfy shelter by your new favorite tree if it appears the internet signal is consistent. With recliner, table for your beverage of choice, and jar of treats for the favorite chickens who will no doubt insist on sharing the shelter with you.

It appears the storm that's producing sideways snow here where I am extends down there in N. TX. Good times. Stay dry.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

If it has a shell I don't think it will be a lash egg. Good luck.

Contractions since calcium tablet were very weak/barely there. Yesterday after both calcium tablets, her strong muscle contractions pushed the egg out to where I could see the top edge. And I just now reached around to feel her crop. (Didn't think to do that yesterday since I was so focused on the other end.) Her crop is soft and squishy, and all she's had to eat since yesterday morn is several live mealworms. Even with syringed sugar water, i don't think crop should feel so soft and squishy.

I'm not going to palpate and try to force the egg out so I can break it, since the latest calcium tablet seems to have had little to no effect. Also, I tried Really hard to get the "egg" out yesterday after the second calcium tablet when i could see the egg and even reach inside vent and get finger behind it. (It felt like it had a shell, but a lash egg makes more sense why it wouldn't budge, especially after egg yolk and what looked like egg white drained from her vent yesterday.) She now seems in obvious shock, & her system is shutting down. If I could have posted photos yesterday someone could have likely quickly identified the problem and maybe saved her. I've tried to read and memorize all I can due to living in the woods with a poor internet signal. I think I have everything in my chicken medicine cabinet except for proper tubing supplies. Will correct that problem this week.

I wilxl do a necropsy and post photos tomorrow or Wednesday. (Doesn't bother me to do that; once the spirit has flown away only an empty shell remains.) At least we will know what was going on inside of her. Thank you for your help everyone; y'all are awesome.

 

[casportpony]