New layer having trouble passing large egg

[Snuggiepug]

My sister and I have been raising chickens for years and have just recently become breeders of silkie chickens. I have dealt with egg binding before but this is a little different.

I have a young hen who is trying to lay her first egg, unfortunately the egg is larger than the average first egg for a hen. I noticed blood coming from her vent so I brought her inside our heated basement and gave her a warm but not too hot bath. I cleaned her up and saw that the egg is in tact, not broken. I put her in a cage lined with soft towels and a warm brooder lamp over her.

For now I’ve left her to peacefully pass the egg but I plan to check on her soon and put Vaseline around her vent to help her. Is there anything else that I could do to help her? I’d hate to lose a hen, especially such a well behaved one. Thanks everyone!

 

[staceyj]

Lubricant yes! Even vegetable or olive oil.
Smash up a tums and feed her the bits. A calcium boost might help quite a bit if she's tired from exertion. It helps to coordinate the contractions needed to expel the egg.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

My sister and I have been raising chickens for years and have just recently become breeders of silkie chickens. I have dealt with egg binding before but this is a little different.

I have a young hen who is trying to lay her first egg, unfortunately the egg is larger than the average first egg for a hen. I noticed blood coming from her vent so I brought her inside our heated basement and gave her a warm but not too hot bath. I cleaned her up and saw that the egg is in tact, not broken. I put her in a cage lined with soft towels and a warm brooder lamp over her.

For now I’ve left her to peacefully pass the egg but I plan to check on her soon and put Vaseline around her vent to help her. Is there anything else that I could do to help her? I’d hate to lose a hen, especially such a well behaved one. Thanks everyone!

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your girl is having trouble.

Did your warm bath contain epsom salt?

It's very deadly. Usually 48 hours. Do you know how long it's been? Is she able to drink anything? When was the last time you saw poo? What did it look like... color and consistency?

 

[Snuggiepug]

Yes it did have epsom salt, and I don’t know the last time she pooped... I was giving the flock their morning treats and happened to see her walking funny. When I picked her up I immediately noticed the blood and tip of the egg poking through her vent. I’m getting desperate because she’s getting tired. My sister and I are about the draw another bath and help her work it out. She’s such a sweet hen and we’d hate to lose her after laying her first egg.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Yes it did have epsom salt, and I don’t know the last time she pooped... I was giving the flock their morning treats and happened to see her walking funny. When I picked her up I immediately noticed the blood and tip of the egg poking through her vent. I’m getting desperate because she’s getting tired. My sister and I are about the draw another bath and help her work it out. She’s such a sweet hen and we’d hate to lose her after laying her first egg.

Move fast and good luck.

Depending on how long it's been stuck, the blockage and not being able to pass any waste can cause total system failure.

When you return her to the towels again, I understand keeping it humid can help.

I wouldn't worry about feed, but it's imperative that she does not become dehydrated. So be sure to offer drink.

 

[Snuggiepug]

Well my sister and I removed the egg, but the egg was so massive that it would have practically turned her inside out to lay it. We were forced to break and remove the egg slowly and carefully. When we got the behemoth egg out she seemed so relieved. She’s recovering now in a soft towel nest in our heated basement. She has water and mealworms but no light. I don’t want to encourage her to lay another egg. But for now she seems a little sore but is alert and drinking.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well my sister and I removed the egg, but the egg was so massive that it would have practically turned her inside out to lay it. We were forced to break and remove the egg slowly and carefully. When we got the behemoth egg out she seemed so relieved. She’s recovering now in a soft towel nest in our heated basement. She has water and mealworms but no light. I don’t want to encourage her to lay another egg. But for now she seems a little sore but is alert and drinking.

You guys did awesome!

I would be sure to offer regular feed (it's whole nutrition) and some grit. Meal worms are great if you need to entice a bird to eat. But sounds like she needs some rest.

You are right to not add extra light. But I would still provide some regular daylight hours and not total darkness. Plus she should be ready to return to the flock before long so pecking order disputes don't become more of an issue. Watch when you return her just to be sure.

So happy for you! That was a real challenge. I have NEVER before now seen the first egg cause binding. Would love to see a pic of the gal feeling better.

 

[Snuggiepug]

Here’s a pic of my little girl getting her treats. She’s getting stronger and we have started giving her feed with plenty of vitamins and nutrients. She does seem to have a mild case of vent gleat that we’re going to start treatment on. Other than that I think she’s going to be okay!!! Thanks to everyone who helped!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Here’s a pic of my little girl getting her treats. She’s getting stronger and we have started giving her feed with plenty of vitamins and nutrients. She does seem to have a mild case of vent gleat that we’re going to start treatment on. Other than that I think she’s going to be okay!!! Thanks to everyone who helped!

Oh, she's a little cutie!