I think my hen is egg bound. Everything I'm trying hasn't helped

[cp2894_]

My easter egger hen who's a little over a year old hasn't laid any eggs yesterday or today and I'm worried she's egg bound. She was spending all day in a nesting box and her bottom was moving up and down. I figured she was probably egg bound and wanted to observe her closer so I brought her in the house and put her in a dog kennel in my garage overnight. I tried putting her back in the coop this morning but she wouldn't leave the nesting box again. So, I brought her back to the kennel. She's had constant access to apple cider vinegar water and crumble feed with a crushed up tums tablet for calcium. One of her eggs that I cracked today (from a few days ago) was on the softer side so I think this is caused by a calcium deficiency. She's been pooping, eating, and drinking (while she's been in the kennel). Still, she's been straining every now and then and still hasn't laid an egg so I'm very worried. I tried giving her a warm epson salt bath but she's my most skittish hen and hated the water. I tried to hold her in but her wings kept getting lose and she'd fly out and get very stressed. I don't know what else to do besides waiting it out but I know it can turn deadly within 48 hours. Besides spending all her time in the nesting box when she's outside, not laying, and her tail feathers pointing downward a little today, she's acting fairly normal. She's not lethargic or walking funny. In fact, she's still walking around a lot and seems curious about the kennel.

 

[Kiki]

Please take the apple cider vinegar water away immediately and only offer fresh water.
ACV can inhibit the absorption of calcium and cause issues.

Do you feed treats? If so what and how often?

 

[Kiki]

Don't put her back in water... The stress of doing so can kill her if she's really ill.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She's been pooping, eating, and drinking (while she's been in the kennel)

Sounds broody (or on the verge of).. but not egg bound..

Tail down and moving is the only part that has me concerned. (well MOST concerned)

 

[cp2894_]

Please take the apple cider vinegar water away immediately and only offer fresh water.
ACV can inhibit the absorption of calcium and cause issues.

Do you feed treats? If so what and how often?

I read a lot of things saying that it's good to give egg bound hens ACV water. Could you explain further? Not doubting you just confused. Don't feed treats super often besides fresh fruits and vegetables around once a week.

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

My easter egger hen who's a little over a year old hasn't laid any eggs yesterday or today and I'm worried she's egg bound. She was spending all day in a nesting box and her bottom was moving up and down. I figured she was probably egg bound and wanted to observe her closer so I brought her in the house and put her in a dog kennel in my garage overnight. I tried putting her back in the coop this morning but she wouldn't leave the nesting box again. So, I brought her back to the kennel. She's had constant access to apple cider vinegar water and crumble feed with a crushed up tums tablet for calcium. One of her eggs that I cracked today (from a few days ago) was on the softer side so I think this is caused by a calcium deficiency. She's been pooping, eating, and drinking (while she's been in the kennel). Still, she's been straining every now and then and still hasn't laid an egg so I'm very worried. I tried giving her a warm epson salt bath but she's my most skittish hen and hated the water. I tried to hold her in but her wings kept getting lose and she'd fly out and get very stressed. I don't know what else to do besides waiting it out but I know it can turn deadly within 48 hours. Besides spending all her time in the nesting box when she's outside, not laying, and her tail feathers pointing downward a little today, she's acting fairly normal. She's not lethargic or walking funny. In fact, she's still walking around a lot and seems curious about the kennel.

I have three ee’s, and two of them have always had calcium deficiency issues. They normally lay daily, but haven’t been the last couple of weeks. I’m convinced it’s the uptick in the temperature, getting up to 100.

Can you feel anything between her legs that would indicate being eggbound? Could she be broody? You might want to give her calcium tablets to help with the eggs. Good luck!

 

[cp2894_]

Don't put her back in water... The stress of doing so can kill her if she's really ill.

Not planning on it unless she really needs the epson salt to relax her muscles. I didn't force it since she was resisting and I didn't wanna cause more stress.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would think she might be broody as well, except they usually stick their butts up in the air in a V shape, and cluck when they walk. If you think she is egg bound give calcium with vitamin D 600 mg. Broodies will pull any egg under them that is set in front of them. They will cluck or growl, and even bite at you when you approach them. Is she pulling our her chest feathers?

 

[cp2894_]

Sounds broody (or on the verge of).. but not egg bound..

Tail down and moving is the only part that has me concerned. (well MOST concerned)

Me too. Yesterday I thought maybe she was just broody since she was acting fairly normal but her tail has been worrying me today.

 

[cp2894_]

I would think she might be broody as well, except they usually stick their butts up in the air in a V shape, and cluck when they walk. If you think she is egg bound give calcium with vitamin D 600 mg. Broodies will pull any egg under them that is set in front of them. They will cluck or growl, and even bite at you when you approach them.

Do broody hens tend to not lay while they're broody? This is my first time owning chickens so I'm still learning