ChitownChick
Chirping
Hello all, my 1 year old ISA Brown hen, Chuck, has been eggbound for 48 hours now. I tried soaks, lubricants. I got her to drink a lot of water and eat with calcium, to give her strength. She lays huge eggs, and I had a feeling this one was misshapen or broken by the feel of it.
I really love this particular bird so yesterday, I even took her to a vet. I sincerely regret that, because they charged me an arm and a leg just to confirm what I already knew and told them, and did little about it. The vet refused to do any treatment without confirming the diagnosis, despite all the signs being there; you could literally feel the egg inside her. Hundreds of dollars later for x-rays later, she confirms yes, the egg is in there, possibly broken (looked crumpled in x-ray, does not feel smooth to the touch). But by then I actually could not afford the fricken' extraction or antibiotics or any treatment that would follow. It was so frustrating, I told her I didn't have much money and I wish she would have been more practical and just probed and treated her. Anyways.
The vet also discouraged me from reaching up and doing the deed myself, saying I'd probably mess up and kill her, but hell, it's been 48 hours and I know she isn't going to make it if I don't do SOMETHING. I may as well try.
I've got my rubber gloves. I got some medicated lube (the vet tech snuck it to me, feeling bad that they didn't help me). I got antibiotic ointment to apply to her vent afterwards, and some antibiotics, aureomycin to be exact. I need to do this...right?
I will admit, as a relatively new hobby chicken keeper, I am a bit squeamish, and extremely nervous. Especially since the vet told me I was likely going to kill her.
Imbue me with strength. Please, give me some advice, a step by step if you've had success doing this, or tips on aftercare, words of encouragement. I'm going in.
I really love this particular bird so yesterday, I even took her to a vet. I sincerely regret that, because they charged me an arm and a leg just to confirm what I already knew and told them, and did little about it. The vet refused to do any treatment without confirming the diagnosis, despite all the signs being there; you could literally feel the egg inside her. Hundreds of dollars later for x-rays later, she confirms yes, the egg is in there, possibly broken (looked crumpled in x-ray, does not feel smooth to the touch). But by then I actually could not afford the fricken' extraction or antibiotics or any treatment that would follow. It was so frustrating, I told her I didn't have much money and I wish she would have been more practical and just probed and treated her. Anyways.
The vet also discouraged me from reaching up and doing the deed myself, saying I'd probably mess up and kill her, but hell, it's been 48 hours and I know she isn't going to make it if I don't do SOMETHING. I may as well try.
I've got my rubber gloves. I got some medicated lube (the vet tech snuck it to me, feeling bad that they didn't help me). I got antibiotic ointment to apply to her vent afterwards, and some antibiotics, aureomycin to be exact. I need to do this...right?
I will admit, as a relatively new hobby chicken keeper, I am a bit squeamish, and extremely nervous. Especially since the vet told me I was likely going to kill her.
Imbue me with strength. Please, give me some advice, a step by step if you've had success doing this, or tips on aftercare, words of encouragement. I'm going in.
