Help----Eggbound hen.....think I have covered all the basis

[lindsay297]

I have a 1.5 yr old commercial layer that is egg bound. I have done the warm sits bath and have seperated her out from the flock to give her rest. I have pulled all the stuff out and she is not recovering yet. I did all this yesturday and this morning there is no improvement. I know she is trying to pass something again because she is straining and nothing is happening.

Dont want to make a final decision about ending this if there is something else I can try. ANY ideas are welcome and appreciated.

 

[lindsay297]

Please....anyone????? Even hearing that I have done it all will make this easier!!!!!

 

[soler]

i just found this article:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search/label/chicken egg binding

 

[soler]

when you say you pulled "stuff" out, do you mean an egg has broken inside and bits came out?

 

[lindsay297]

Thanks for the article!! I have extracted the egg and the soft shell. It was not a fully formed hard shell. The article was very clear and I at least have a reference to say I may have done everything. Will give her till tonight and see what happens.

 

[soler]

di you manage to get the egg out intact or did it break? She might have another egg coming down right behind it. I would try what she says again, ie warm bath, liquid calcium, lubrication etc

Try and feel the abdoment and see if you feel a second mass.

found this in another article:
A fluid-filled abdomen could be a sign of peritonitis - egg related or otherwise. Whether caused by egg material never passed or not, a good course of action is to immediately put the hen on a good broad-spectrum antibiotic, such as Baytril. (Good SUPPORTIVE THERAPY should be included in any treatment program - May issue.) If the condition does not improve through the course of treatment, then a local Veterinarian should be consulted for possible fluid removal and to determine the next course of action
it was in here:
http://www.countryfayre.co.uk/index.php?module=Pages&func=display&pageid=17

so you may want to start her on antibiotics, if you get the infection sorted early, she can make it.

 

[lindsay297]

Thanks....I lost one to peritonitis a few months back. This one is definitly egg bound. Have checked for a second mass and cant feel one. I gave her a second bath just now.....hoping that this will help but, scared to try anything more invasive as she is very weak right now.

 

[lindsay297]

Sorry...forgot that the shell was soft and we got it out intact. Had to use syringe to remove the egg first though!!
Sucks though.....but, I knew with these guys I would get lots of this!!

 

[soler]

it must be so stressful!

intact is great at least. Hopefully she passes the second one and makes it. I didn't know about giving her liquid calcium or a calcium supplement and how that would help her pass one. I thought it was very good info.

I would definitely try and get fluids in her and some soft food, mine love wet cat food - maybe she won't be able to resist some of that?

Best of luck.

 

[lindsay297]

Thanks for your words and research, soler. It was helpful to have someone confirm and be with me through this. "Little" passed yesturday afternoon. I had gone out to give another dose of yogurt and crumble. She never got any but died in my arms. All my girls were rescues from the meat plant and I give them what we can. Thanks again for being with me through this.....It is amazing how that can make the difference.