HELP! Egg bound?

[SurferchickinSB]

Must have broken inside of her but the membrane came out because I found it laying on the ground. My chicken was sick so I felt her crop to see if it felt squishy or over stuffed from eating too much. It felt empty, so I thought that was weird and that she must really be sick if she didn’t eat food this evening, so then I felt between her hip bones to see if it felt like there was an egg. I couldn’t really feel anything hard, but it felt a little swollen so I gave her a tums anyhow because she had a big hump on her back like my Wyandotte had when she had the same problem about a month and a half ago when she first started laying eggs. My chickens are about 6 1/2 months old and they started laying eggs on Labor Day about a month and a half ago.

The egg must’ve fell out when she was on the roost, because it was on the poop board right under her when I went to check on her about an hour later.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

If you cut back on the treats, their layer feed has calcium which they can utilize, that will help tremendously.
For the 2 that are having laying problems, give them both 1/2 calcium tablet like Caltrate for 4-5 days. No more than that since excess calcium can do damage too.

Getting your feed situation straightened out, hopefully you won't have many more problems. I like to give mine goodies too, but that can pack on the pounds too - fat hens can build up stores around the organs which can make it hard for them to lay eggs or the excess fat can cause Fatty Liver disease.

A few other things that cause egg laying problems are stress/overcrowding, being picked on and history of respiratory illnesses like Infectious Bronchitis and Mycoplasma.

Thank you for all your responses. Why do you suggest I give Caltrate? Is Tums the same thing?My chickens have about 800 ft. for eight chickens, I think that is supposed to be OK. I know they would prefer more space, because they just always want out of there run, they just stare at the veggie garden and fruit trees. I used to let them out in my yard but they just tear everything to shreds and my dogs didn’t like going outside with them loose. None of them have had respiratory illnesses, I put a lot of windows and doors in their coop and I also pick up the poop about four times a day, so it is really clean. I think you are right and that I give them too many treats and probably does upset their tummies. I guess they are not exercising as much either since I do not let them run around my property anymore.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

You can use the TUMS if you prefer. I would just get extra calcium into the 2 that are having repeated problems for 4-5days in a row, then just make sure their main diet is the layer feed.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

You can use the TUMS if you prefer. I would just get extra calcium into the 2 that are having repeated problems for 4-5days in a row, then just make sure their main diet is the layer feed.

Thanks so much! Will do! I was just reading a news feed last night about a chicken with crop issues and then I started thinking about the wheat grass I am growing and I have been giving them the past few days, I guess I will check their crops this morning, hopefully they will all be empty and I have not created something else to deal with!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks so much! Will do! I was just reading a news feed last night about a chicken with crop issues and then I started thinking about the wheat grass I am growing and I have been giving them the past few days, I guess I will check their crops this morning, hopefully they will all be empty and I have not created something else to deal with!

As long as they have a source of grit (crushed granite) available free choice and the wheat grass is not very long, they shouldn't have any problems processing it.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

As long as they have a source of grit (crushed granite) available free choice and the wheat grass is not very long, they shouldn't have any problems processing it.

They have sand and dirt in there enclosure, do I need granite also? This morning when I went to check on them, LuLu didn’t come out and she was in the nest box.She did the egg song about 15 minutes later and I went to see if there was an egg, but there was nothing. Lulu came running out and her tail was up and she looks healthy but I will keep checking on her. She seems OK, hopefully. Thank you

 

[Wyorp Rock]

View attachment 1568737
They have sand and dirt in there enclosure, do I need granite also? This morning when I went to check on them, LuLu didn’t come out and she was in the nest box.She did the egg song about 15 minutes later and I went to see if there was an egg, but there was nothing. Lulu came running out and her tail was up and she looks healthy but I will keep checking on her. She seems OK, hopefully. Thank you

Grit can be debated all day long and then some. Personally, I like to make it available free choice from day 1. A bag of grit is relatively cheap and will last forever - I store mine in a bucket with a screw on lid so it stays dry. I fill up a cup that's attached to a post in my run, the chickens will pick through and take what they want. Grit can also be scattered in the run if you wish, when they are scratching they will find it.

I would just keep a watch on LuLu for a few days, hopefully she will be just fine.

 

[Melky]

If you are worried about grit and oyster shell and if they eat it or not. Right amount or not. Etc. You can mix in feed. Grit should be 1Lb. For 40 lbs. of feed and oyster shell 1Lb. For 20 lbs of feed. This ensures they get the right amount. Sand and such in the run, really not sufficient. Poultry grit is required to digest effectively to avoid impacted crop. I too would skip most treats, way too much, Give the layer feed with oyster shell and grit and see if they straighten out. If you worry about enough calcium you can also provide free choice oyster shell on side till things are running smoother. Good Luck!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are worried about grit and oyster shell and if they eat it or not. Right amount or not. Etc. You can mix in feed. Grit should be 1Lb. For 40 lbs. of feed and oyster shell 1Lb. For 20 lbs of feed. This ensures they get the right amount. Sand and such in the run, really not sufficient. Poultry grit is required to digest effectively to avoid impacted crop. I too would skip most treats, way too much, Give the layer feed with oyster shell and grit and see if they straighten out. If you worry about enough calcium you can also provide free choice oyster shell on side till things are running smoother. Good Luck!

Sorry, but I disagree with adding granite grit and oyster shell to feed.
Birds will have to pick through grit and oyster shell that may not be needed in order to get to feed. It's best put both separately in the run or coop so the birds can take what they need free choice.

 

[Melky]

Wyorp Rock may disagree but actually the opposite happens as this is the correct amount and the majority is the layer feed so no need to pick through to find feed or supplements. This avoids excess and makes sure they meet minimal requirements at the same time of their supplements so no waste.