Impacted Crop?

[TwoCrows]

Egg binding can cause a crop to not empty because it is blocking the passage of poop. Put on a latex glove and some ky jelly in the index finger and gently insert your finger into the vent. If there is a stuck egg, you will be able to feel it there. If it is sideways, you can push it right with your finger. You can also lube up her inside to help push the egg out.

If she is egg bound, you can give her a calcium pill and soak her in warm water for 10 or 15 mins. Make sure her lower half is in the water. The warmth will help to move the egg. These two things usually move a stuck egg in an hour or so.

 

[ten chicks]

I just felt around. How do I do a cloacal exam?

To do a cloacal exam,put on gloves w lubricant and insert finger into vent,see if you an feel an egg or broken pieces of shell.

If you feel a stuck egg,give her a tums or calcium tablet orally(break into pieces)keep her warm,keep her quiet and in a dark location,this often helps pass egg.

If you find broken egg shells gently remove them, be careful you do not want to accidentally cut her internally. Flush out vent with a diluted vinegar/water solution,this helps to flush out broken egg contents and helps with bacteria,but often with this type of issue antibiotics might be needed if infection sets in.

I would not do the warm water soaks,although it is usually recommended for egg binding,if a bird is already showing signs of sever stress(panting)this could push her over the edge.

 

[Hayslope]

Ok, I did what you said and there is an egg stuck. She also was able to poop, a lot, when I inserted my finger and moved things around. I tried to get lube into her using my finger and moving it around the egg. I used astroglide. Would it be ok to use a syringe to insert some into her vent? I don't know what is in the stuff, might not be very good for her insides? I know I wouldn't want it in me.

 

[ten chicks]

Ok, I did what you said and there is an egg stuck. She also was able to poop, a lot, when I inserted my finger and moved things around. I tried to get lube into her using my finger and moving it around the egg. I used astroglide. Would it be ok to use a syringe to insert some into her vent? I don't know what is in the stuff, might not be very good for her insides? I know I wouldn't want it in me.

Is she still panting? Have you given her a tums or calcium tablet,this usually starts to work very fast. If she is not panting and appears more stable and you have no tums/calcium tablets ,then try the warm water soaks,but if she appears stressed doing this then stop.

Astroglide is a water based personal lubricant so it should be fine.

Be careful removing egg you do not want it to break. After egg has been expelled,give her some electrolytes and keep her quiet/calm,let her rest.

 

[TwoCrows]

Tums is an excellent fast source of calcium. If you have these, I would use these first over a hard calcium tablet. Tums taste good as well and the bird is more likely to eat pieces of it.

 

[Hayslope]

She stopped panting as soon as she pooped. A friend is bringing some tums over in 5 minutes. I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's help in saving my hen. This is an amazing site. Thank you.

 

[ten chicks]

Welcome. She should start to feel better once egg is removed. Egg binding is serious and without intervention most birds die.

 

[TwoCrows]

Make sure her crop is soft again because the tums won't be able to get absorbed if the stuff in her crop is hardened. So if you have to get water into her crop to soften the contents, then do that. Massage it well to break up the impaction if it is hard.

 

[Hayslope]

I crushed the tums and mixed some with water then gave it to her with the dropper. I will let her sit for a bit then try the warm bath.

 

[TwoCrows]

It usually takes an hour or so for the calcium to take effect. Since her crop is not moving, I don't know how quickly the calcium will get into her system. If she hasn't passed the egg in a couple hours, I would try the warm bath. Usually a warm bath gets those stuck eggs moving. Make sure to dry her thoroughly after the bath so she doesn't chill.