My hen is very tired and egg laying trouble?

[Lady Dre]

I came home to find my hen in her laying in her coop in a pool of milky slime. She usually comes right out to great me when I come home but she didn't budge. She is acting very tired and won't eat, however she is drinking a lot of water. She is breathing heavy at times and seems to be trying to lay an egg. She keeps trying to get to her favorite laying spots. I think the egg may be stuck and she is exhausted from trying to lay it. I am very worried for her. Can anyone give me any suggestions on what to do?

 

[sammi]

set the hen on a warmed towel or heat pad..in a dim quiet place undisturbed.

or sit her in a sink of warm water.

these should help her relax the muscles and expel the egg.
some KY jelly applied to the vent might help.

being eggbound is dangerous and should be considered an emergency.
if she doesn't expel the egg, more drastic measures are needed, and a trip to the vet might be necessary since it involves draining the egg with a syringe, and removing the shell.
tho vets may have other ways to do it..

what all do you feed?
has she ever laid a soft shelled egg?
does she lay regularly?
how old is she?

drinking lots of water and panting is a sign of discomfort and stress.

fingers crossed for the hen.

 

[Judy]

What Sammi said. As soon as you read this, do the bath. Stroke her gently during the bath from neck to vent. Hope she can expel whatever is stuck.

Obviously, vet care would be ideal, but not an option for so many on here.

Let us know.

 

[Lady Dre]

Thanks! I did lay her on a heating pad that night and she began to drink water on her own. I coaxed her to eat a little that night as well. She eventually just went to sleep after trying for so long.
The next morning I woke up to find her up and alert. She never did lay an egg, so I took her up to the vet and he said there was no sign of any egg inside her. Needless to say he was a bit confused and concerned. He is afraid she might be showing signs of early Yolk Peritonitis. I am supposed to wait until Thursday and bring her back in if she hasnt laid an egg. So far no egg in sight, but she is acting completely normal.

Sammi, thanks for you advise and concern.

I feed her egg layer crumbles for the most part. She gets scratch every once in a while. Grapes and cherries for a treat.

She occasionally does lay a soft shell egg. Mainly they happen in the evening, which has always confused me.

She was laying an egg, six out of seven days during the week.

She is 1 year 3 months.

Not sure what is going to happen but i am hoping for the best. She is not just any chicken to me. I would be devastated if anything was to happen to her.