My Very First Emergency: Egg Bound? Pictures Included

[Miss Lydia]

How brave to do what you did and to get it all out of there, now you might want to read up on internal laying. If she had 3 eggs inside of her thats not good. try to keep her as quiet as possible and with little or no light till she gets over this and hopefully won't lay another egg to quickly. Don't feed her laying feed either it will only encourage her to lay.. keep us updated please.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

Miss Lydia: Thank you, I did what I thought had to be done to save her and am SO thankful that she didn't have a harder time than she did and is acting a LOT better. I will go and read as soon as I get off here. I have her in my bedroom in a small dog crate with water and food. It is layer so will change that. I have a light on so will turn that off soon. The last egg that came out was fully formed and looked just like the rest of the eggs from other chickens. Threw them all away not knowing how long the last one was in there but sounds like today was the third day. I am going to keep her in the other room with the heat turned up a little so that she doesn't get cold. She has dried on top since her ordeal about 5 and it is 8:30 now but I read they need 24 hours to dry. Also she will be staying in the house and in the cage for up to a week just so that I know what is going on with her. She looks so much like the other 23 that I don't want to not see her till something happens to her so thought this would be better. I don't have a favorite since all 24 girls look to much a like to have one but she might just turn into my favorite because of all she has gone through. THANK you for caring and the words of wisdom.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Keeping her in the house is a very good idea and hopefully you nor her will ever have to go through this again.. all the best. and please keep us updated.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

Morning update. She is doing MUCH better. She is eating and drinking but staying in the dog cage is keeping her quiet and she is in the room alone, so no noise or anything. Last night she made no noise when I would pick her up but this morning she will squawk some when I open the cage. Will continue keeping her in and as quiet as possible for another week and then maybe put her back in with the other girls I have separated from the rest that are missing feathers on their backs where their tails connect to the body. Only about 6 in there and not sure what caused that unless it was the Rooster. THANKS so much for the words of wisdom and the help. I really appreciate it.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

Thought I would offer HER a bigger area to recoup in so set up Grand daughters old play pen. When I lifted HER up she has white pasty stuff on her vent and the feathers below like she did yesterday. IS this normal or should I be worried. She is still acting normal but the white stuff is making me concerned. I know in their poop there is white and I think this might be it but didn't think she would still be having it stick to her. She is pooping "normal" like all the others outside in the coop so that made me think things were on the mend. Any thoughts?

 

[Miss Lydia]

I am sure you've probably already cleaned her up but just keep an eye on her, she will probably continue to pass all that was left, and that is good. Sometimes I have seen white messy looking stuff on my hens too and it's been okay. you can also trim her feathers some back there and that will help to keep the mess down, if she is perky and eating and drinking she is probably fine, You just need to slow down the egg laying process a bit to help her recoup. if anything changes be sure to get back on here quickly there will be someone to help. Also remember they poop and lay eggs out of the same vent but it comes from different directions. But normal poop is good. There is a Moderator on here named Speckled Hen who has delt with Hens being egg bound alot if you PMed her she would be able to help you more because she has been through it.

 

[Michigan Transplant]

Thank you Miss Lydia. Sure is a scary thing to see and go through but HOPE she is better and we both do not go through this for a long time. I was a little worried when I went in to check her a few minutes ago and she is in the same stance and place I set her down. It is like she isn't moving but acting alright. Will keep her in, quiet and comfortable and just hope the worst is over. THANK YOU so much.

 

[write2caroline]

My chickens enjoy the tub. I am wondering if they secretly plot for spa time!!! LOL. They do not like the running water so I fill the deep sink with warm water and gently lower them in. I put some scratch on the side and they generally happily soak and eat scratch until I take them out. I don't leave them alone. I don't have to hold them either. The warm water is calming. Once in a while they start flapping their wings and make a huge mess but it just takes a gentle hand on the back of the wings and they stop. Some drink the water. They also enjoy the blow dry afterwards. I towel dry them and then put them on the perch and use the blow dryer which they seem to love. I have even washed the meanest of my roosters and he enjoyed the experience too.. I forget why I bathed him but maybe someone pooped on him. After the blow dry I hang the heat lamp from the shower curtain rod and keep them in the tub for a while longer to be sure they are dry. I offer a little water and a light snack then out to the run they go usually. ( you would think I was giving them a glass of chardonnay and brie with fruit or something. I try to keep my voice soft and calm.

Caroline

 

[Miss Lydia]

How's your hen this morning Michigan?

 

[Michigan Transplant]

She is doing very well this morning. Started making noises and walking all around in the play pen. Acting like she was going stir crazy so took her back down to the chicken house and put her in the the 8 I have separated. NOW one of the others has a spot under the vent area that is bald and kind of red. Been trying to find out what caused that. Not sure if it is someone else pecking her or if she is doing it because of lice/mites. Going to go down there in a few and spend time with them and CLEAN out the pens. Someone said NOT to use straw since that is where the lice/mites live during the day so might change to light layer of wood shavings since I have them for the new chicks tomorrow. Thanks for asking. How are you and your flock doing? How's your weather there? Going to be in the 60's for the next three or more days although they are saying a few showers. I am not going to complain as long as that white stuff is GONE! Have a great day!!!