How to Help an Egg Bound Hen?

[AmyJane725]

No to the D3.

@getaclue Does it hurt them? The Caltrate I have has D3 mixed in...

Says it's supposed to help with calcium absorption.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Good to know. Keep them from having another episode probably.

Do you give 1000mg/day for the rest of the week, or less on those doses?

I usually just give a few pieces, so that is about half the dose.

 

[getaclue]

Again, no to the D3. Get plain calcium, or use Tums.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Really? That's good to know. I'll have to keep an eye on mine when they get old enough for that and make sure they're actually eating it.

Yeah, mine were not eating it and now every day I just remember to throw a handful on the ground in the evening, otherwise I start getting soft shell eggs.

 

[Kathy Golla]

And what about people who don't have a vet who will see chickens? Most of them don't. Are they supposed to just let their hens die without even trying to help them?

There's also people who aren't willing to pay a vet to see a chicken. They're gonna be doing this stuff at home. And it's in the best interest of the birds that they know how to do it right.

This is only my own opinion. When you post publicly on this board, you get many opinions. If you are looking only for a particular opinion, it would be more effective to state that up front in your initial post. Such as, I’m not interested in responses suggesting vet care. That would save some of us some effort.
All I’m saying is...an egg bound hen should try to resolve the problem herself. Trying to intervene is flirting with disaster unless you know what you are doing.
With no vet care, yes at a point I suppose something is better than nothing.

 

[Kathy Golla]

Yeah, the Tums and the soaking has always worked for me. Even just the Tums has worked and it usually works with in about 20-30 minutes. That has been my experience.

I think this is a good course of action for the majority of people and has good results.
Although the recommendation does seem to be 400 mg calcium citrate with d3 because the d3 helps with absorption.

 

[AmyJane725]

Yeah, mine were not eating it and now every day I just remember to throw a handful on the ground in the evening, otherwise I start getting soft shell eggs.

Gotta make them feel like it's a treat
"Oh, mom's giving it to us! This must be good!"

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Gotta make them feel like it's a treat
"Oh, mom's giving it to us! This must be good!"

LOL! Isn’t that the truth!

 

[AmyJane725]

@getaclue

Is the D3 harmful to them? I was under the impression that it helps with calcium absorption.

 

[getaclue]

Vitamin D3 is not water soluble like a B type vitamin, so excess is not eliminated easily. It's easy to get too much, and it can be very harmful. In the dosages you're giving to the chicken for the calcium, that would be too much D3.