Help! Egg stuck?

[MadisonOde]

Our 1 year old silkie hen has an egg stuck coming out. There is a thin membrane covering the egg. We have her in some warm water in the sink. What should we do??

 

[azygous]

What is the status of your hen now? Were you able to free the egg? Is she prolapsing? Is that a shell-less egg? Have you given her some calcium to help with contractions if there is another egg close behind this one?

Two eggs close together are not at all uncommon and it can cause egg binding. You'll know if there are no more obstructions if she immediately begins to feel better and returns to normal. Continuing to act sick and uncomfortable indicates more egg material needs to be expelled.

 

[MadisonOde]

We got the egg out and pushed her vent back in, it’s still in for now and she’s in a kennel. Should we give her more calcium? Do we buy that somewhere?

 

[azygous]

Yes, people calcium supplement, at least 500mg. Give one tablet directly into her beak once a day until she returns to normal. I use calcium citrate.

Also, be sure she is well hydrated. When there's a blockage it prevents the cecum from functioning and absorbing fluids into her system. Instead the fluids are expelled. If you notice a lot of fluid "leakage" and the absence of cecal poop, this is what's happening. It indicates there's still a blockage.

If the prolapse remains inside, it means she's likely passed the blockage. If the prolapse keeps slipping back out, it means there may be more material needing to be expelled. This issue may resolve quickly or take days. She needs to be kept in a crate on absorbent material like a thick towel so you can monitor fluid loss and poop.

Be sure she has constant access to cool water as this can make her very thirsty and dehydrated. Treat the prolapse if it recurs by moistening it with witch hazel and hydrocortisone cream to help shrink the swelling. Offer her food. She may or may not feel like eating, but it helps to keep her strength up.