How long can a hen "hold" an egg?

[Poulets De Cajun]

I have a hen who has had an egg in her oviduct now for nearly a week. I know its there because I can feel it through her abdomen, and I can squeeze and move it around.

I haven't tried to remove it yet, because she doesn't seem to be in distress. She is perky, eats/drinks, runs around the coop etc, and there are no signs of her being in pain.

How long can she keep it in there before I start seeing problems? She is just starting to lay again after a long winter break.

 

[Judy]

Are you saying she is currently laying?

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

She WAS laying, and then they all quit over the winter. They are just getting started again and I've been trying to isolate an egg eater so I've been feeling their abdomens to see who is about to lay etc.

She's been having this egg in there for days now!

 

[MoodyChicken]

Get it out asap. It may not be hurting her, but when she lays another egg she'll be in big trouble. Not to mention you're risking serious infection for her right now.