I have a Cochin Bantam pair that usually lives in a coop on a horse stable but I had to bring them inside my house because the rooster needed some medical attention with his feet (he's totally fine now) so they have been inside for 3 days now. My hen I suspect has been trying to lay an egg since yesterday evening she isn't in distress and is still eating and drinking but she doesn't walk unless she has to and when she does she is wobbly and hunched over also she pants off and on..other than that she is really content...she has laid eggs before but never sat on them and it never took this long and she also never sat on them. This time I think she is going to try and sit on them...anyways my main questions are do you think she is trying to lay an egg or is she just broody? and should I be concerned? also should I keep her in the room or take her back out to the coop? Thanks Taylor
if she is eggbound, try giving her a long warm bath, massage her, and also give her a tums in the water, the calcium boost will help her relax. generally that will help-
Walking hunched over and panting shouldn't be related to going broody, so I'd treat her for being eggbound and hopefully that will take care of it. They can pant from heat but if they are inside with you, that shouldn't be the reason, you know? Good luck!
I agree, eggboud, I would add to lubricate the vent. KY would be best but vegetable oil works if thats all you have. Massage it as far up the vent as you can and try to feel if the egg is broken while your at it. I would also use a heat lamp if you have one. This is serious the faster it resolves the less chace of additional complications.
I have felt her pelvis numerous times and can't find the egg...I lubricated anyway though. I originally though eggbound but I have felt her up and down and I can't locate anything that resembles and egg or shell or anything!
