Looks Egg Bound, but no egg

[MaryZoe]

I have a black hen who escaped from her chicken yard 2 days ago and was stuck with almost no water source for much of a very hot day. When she got back to the yard she drank for 10 minutes straight. She looked slightly hunched, as if she might have been egg bound. I gave her some mash with calcium powder, which she ate with gusto. I felt her abdomen for an egg but felt nothing. So I left her comfortable for the night and checked on her yesterday. She was about the same, still no egg I could palpate exteriorly. If anything she felt somewhat mushy in her abdomen and vent area. I gloved-up and did an internal exam. Still no obvious egg. She is worse this morning. Still sitting around looking egg bound, but today she has less interest in food. Any suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry about your sick hen. How old is she? If her lower belly feels swollen, then she could be suffering from ascites or a reproductive infection. Fluid from ascites builds up and can be removed to relieve pressure, but it is not without risk. Egg yolk peritonitis, salpingitis, and internal laying are some other possibilities. Antibiotics used early in an infection might help, but it won’t help ascites. Hopefully, she will begin to feel better with supportive care and some time.

 

[MaryZoe]

Thanks for your reply. She’s probably about 2.5 years old. I'm not sure that her belly feels swollen, but it is soft. I've never had an egg bound hen or one with any of the other things you mentioned. I've only had to deal with bouts of mycoplasma and worms, which are difficult enough! I may try to get some antibiotics into her, though I suspect it may be too late since this is day 3. Just trying to keep her comfy at the moment. Bringing her mash and scrambled eggs and keeping her out of the sun and hydrated as much as possible.