No an emergency, but I’m worried I gave my hen too much calcium not knowing she may be starting a molt

[alinas2010]

My hen is a cinnamon queen - a production hybrid, 2 and a half years old, never has been sick, never had any egg laying problems. Two nights ago on the roost when I tucked them in, I noticed she was for sure egg bound; her wings were droopy and she was hunched up classic egg bound hump. I gave her 600 mg calcium plus d3 and there was a soft egg under the roost in her spot in the morning. She had also possibly laid a soft egg the night before that, I noticed when I tucked everyone in that as there was partially eaten yolk under the roost where she was, but no shell. That did worry me but I extensively checked everyone’s vents for shell remnants and could find none. I hoped maybe they had just eaten it.

So fast forward to yesterday, I continued giving 600 mg calcium + d3 because you know, give for 5-7 days after an egg binding episode. She seemed fine yesterday, although I am not sure she laid. Today this morning she seemed fine, too. Active, talkative, foraging, even tried to go scratch where the compost pile used to be, etc. But I just went to put them away about 4 hours later after they had been out in the yard all day playing and she was by herself in the garden. Not really hunched up, not really droopy wings, but she looked tired and not right. She didn’t run to me like the rest of them and stayed where she was. I figured egg binding again. So I gave 800 mg of ca + d3 this time - they are pills that are 400mg each, so I have to break them in half and was really worried about her being egg bound again and didn’t. But when I let her go a feather from her neck came out in my hand so now I’m worried that she’s starting a molt and I just gave her a ton of calcium. Plus they’re on a layer feed right now because everyone except one hen was still laying.

Any advice? Will she be okay? And should I stop giving calcium? Pics of her today when she was feeling well (as far as I knew).

 

[Debbie292d]

My understanding is that an egg-bound chicken generally only takes one treatment of 400 - 600 mg or so calcium + D to cause contractions, and they'll be able to lay their egg. Then done.

I would stop with the pills for now but still provide a dish of oyster shell as she may need some later. I hope she's back to her normal self!

Is there any way you can know if she's laid an egg though from this last pill you gave her?

 

[RoyalChick]

She will likely just excrete the excess calcium so you shouldn’t worry.

 

[Eggcessive]

I think that 300 to 600mg daily is safe to give to see if it is egg binding. She should be fine with the one time 800 mg dose. I would only give it once or twice. I do recommend giving up to 7 days of calcium if they have been laying shell-less or thin-shelled eggs.

 

[Debbie292d]

She will likely just excrete the excess calcium so you shouldn’t worry.

Maybe not all as I sure wish this were the case with my two. We're sure it's calcium OD.

 

[Debbie292d]

Maybe not all as I sure wish this were the case with my two. We're sure it's calcium OD.

It could be because these are chicks. Too much calcium can do damage to the kidneys, and there is a direct relationship between the kidneys and their legs. Perhaps adults can expel the excess better.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Maybe not all as I sure wish this were the case with my two. We're sure it's calcium OD.

What are the signs/ symptoms of calcium OD?

 

[alinas2010]

I would stop with the pills for now but still provide a dish of oyster shell as she may need some later. I hope she's back to her normal self!

Is there any way you can know if she's laid an egg though from this last pill you gave her?

Well I did have an egg in the nesting box yesterday that looked like hers, but the other CQ we have has an identical egg, so it is hard to say. The egg was perfectly solid, so if it were hers that would be good. And no worries, they have 2 bowls of oyster shell available at all times thank you!

She will likely just excrete the excess calcium so you shouldn’t worry.

That makes me feel better, thank you!

I think that 300 to 600mg daily is safe to give to see if it is egg binding. She should be fine with the one time 800 mg dose. I would only give it once or twice. I do recommend giving up to 7 days of calcium if they have been laying shell-less or thin-shelled eggs.

Okay, I will cut it back to one pill 400mg for another few days. Unless i see that she truly is dropping feathers, then I will stop. Thank you for your advice, it is truly appreciated.

It could be because these are chicks. Too much calcium can do damage to the kidneys, and there is a direct relationship between the kidneys and their legs. Perhaps adults can expel the excess better.

I’m so sorry to hear that happened to you. That must’ve been a painful experience; I’m glad you are sharing your knowledge with others.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would only give the calcium one or two days for possible egg binding. She has probably had enough. I only give it more than once or twice if they are laying soft eggs, and are calcium deficient.

 

[Debbie292d]

What are the signs/ symptoms of calcium OD?

I only know for chicks, as three of them, at three weeks old, one by one, started dragging a leg, which turned into two legs on all three. Their legs have spasms; one goes out front, the other behind.

Calcium OD causes kidney damage, and the sciatic nerve and others pass through the kidneys.

These are all in our brooder getting copius amts of B-Complex, and the homeopathic Milk Thistle and Rosemary for their kidneys. Nothing says if this can be undone but with this and physical therapy, very little improvement.