HELP!! Hen egg bound with soft shell egg?

[lisaequine1]

I have a year and half old buff orpington that has always been a great layer and the picture of health, but since last night she keeps straining to pass an egg. She has passed a few pieces of what appeared to be a soft shell egg and a lot of clear liquid. We tried two warm baths so far but she's still having problems. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[tammye]

is she pooping? I read here that some use epsom salt flush , it makes them poop which can help to provide space for the egg to pass. Keep up the baths and keep her in a darken area and a stress free environment. good luck

 

[tooty31]

Hi

My two hens have both been egg bound and I rub Olive Oil on their Vents.

This has worked 4 times they have been egg bound.

Hope it works for you, let me know if it does work please.

Good Luck

Lucy

 

[lisaequine1]

She does now seem to be through the worst of it, I hope. She's been out since mid-day with her buddies and is acting normal. What I'm wondering is why this happened and if there is a way to prevent it?? Is it not abnormal for a mature hen who lays an egg almost every day with no problems to suddenly have not only a soft shell, but trouble passing it? I lost another hen a couple months ago that died suddenly right in front of us after acting like she was trying to pass an egg for just a few minutes. My kids are so attached to these chickens that it's just devastating to lose any!

 

[lisaequine1]

Thanks for the replies. I have heard of using Epsom salt and also about using olive oil. If she shows any more signs of trouble I will try those. I hope that this doesn't become too common of an occurrence.

@Lucy, when you use the olive oil, do you get any inside of them?

 

[tooty31]

I just rub it on the vent and around it! So it probably will go in, but never causes a problem!! my girls havent been eggbound for ages thank goodness! Im glad ur chook is better xx