Help please on possible egg bound hen

[jonalisa]

Hi, my black Australorp, Agatha, presented this morning with a messy backside. I brought her in for a warm bath, and pulled out a piece of soft shell sticking out of her vent. I added Epsom salt to the water and cleaned her, realizing her entire abdomen is hard and swollen. I checked about an inch into her vent, but felt nothing.
She's now standing in a nest box.
I searched the forums but with so many variable situations, I'm not sure what to do. If resolvable or not, I just want to make her comfortable. Advice please?

 

[Shadrach]

Hi, my black Australorp, Agatha, presented this morning with a messy backside. I brought her in for a warm bath, and pulled out a piece of soft shell sticking out of her vent. I added Epsom salt to the water and cleaned her, realizing her entire abdomen is hard and swollen. I checked about an inch into her vent, but felt nothing.
She's now standing in a nest box.
I searched the forums but with so many variable situations, I'm not sure what to do. If resolvable or not, I just want to make her comfortable. Advice please?
View attachment 1522620

It sound like the egg may be stuck further in. A check one inch deep probably isn't deep enough.
You should be able to feel the egg from the outside, even if she's passed the shell
Sometimes an egg without the shell is more difficult to pass.
Have another check internally is my advice at the moment.

 

[jonalisa]

It sound like the egg may be stuck further in. A check one inch deep probably isn't deep enough.
You should be able to feel the egg from the outside, even if she's passed the shell
Sometimes an egg without the shell is more difficult to pass.
Have another check internally is my advice at the moment.

Ok will do.

 

[jonalisa]

Felt up to just past my 2nd knuckle, I just feel swelling, but nothing else... No egg, no shell. She seemed in pain, groaning when I did. After I stopped, she tried to push... Coming close to prolapse.

 

[jonalisa]

Felt up to just past my 2nd knuckle, I just feel swelling, but nothing else... No egg, no shell. She seemed in pain, groaning when I did. After I stopped, she tried to push... Coming close to prolapse.View attachment 1522655View attachment 1522657

That swelling is as hard as a football.
She's groaning.

 

[Shadrach]

That swelling is as hard as a football.
She's groaning.

Okay, I would take her to the vet in that case.

 

[jonalisa]

We don't have a vet hospital that sees chickens

 

[jonalisa]

Anyone? @casportpony

 

[Shadrach]

I'm sorry I can't be of more help.

 

[Eggcessive]

She has had an egg break inside or it was laided internally and the membrane was expelled. Something very serious is going on inside, possibly oviduct cancer, infection from internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis, or ascites. Since it feels hard, I would worry about cancer. Most times we don’t know which of those can be the problem without doing a necropsy after death. If she seems in pain, I would consider putting her down. Here is some reading:
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/disorders-of-the-reproductive-system/internal-layer-poultry

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poul...tem/egg-bound-or-impacted-oviducts-in-poultry