Is this egg-bound?!

[raro]

Yesterday and today, my hens went from four to three eggs (I have four total, and they've been laying one each ever since I got them). For some reason, I decided to just pick up one at random, and I felt a huge, egg-sized lump. But everything I read about egg bound issues describes the egg as near the vent or the tummy...this is her chest! A huge, egg-shaped lump kind of where the breast hits the shoulder. She acts fine, but I gave her a warm bath, etc. like I've read to do, but how do you massage such a lump all the way through her? This is not good, is it. This is really depressing if there is nothing I can do for her. Any ideas?!?

 

[CMV]

Could it be her crop? Right side?

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

They fill their crops before bed, and then in the morning it should be empty. You can check the lump both times to see if it is the crop.

 

[raro]

Oh. I feel stupid. Never thought of that, since it's so egg-shaped I just assumed. Either way, I am hoping it will shrink by morning and she will be fine. I don't think I've ever held one of them at night, so I haven't noticed such a thing before. I'll check her in the morning.

 

[MaureenL128]

They are probably slowing down on the egg production for the winter. Sounds like a nice full crop before bed to me!