Not laying...

[Faso]

I tried asking the folks in the egg laying section and wanted to ask here as well...

My chicken, whom is maybe just turning 1 stopped laying about 2 weeks ago. She was laying starting in February for the first time but now has stopped. She looks perfectly fine. She will still eat out of my hand, has a red comb and all her feathers. She drinks and takes dust baths as well. I see nothing out of the ordinary except that I'm not getting any eggs from her in 2 weeks now. I thought she was egg bound but i don't know those visual signs. Someone else said I would KNOW if that was the case as she would look sick and she wouldn't have made it 2 weeks...

Should I call the vet or wait it out? I don't think it's a molt but I never saw a chicken molt before and i'm not sure if the feathers start to fall out 1 month after the molt starts or how it really works...

I would hate for a vet to tell me I should have had her seen after 1 week and since i waited a month it's too late... Any thoughts?

 

[casportpony]

Egg bound hens can linger for months. Have you done a cloacal exam?

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Here are some pictures that I've found useful:

-Kathy

 

[casportpony]

Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/792415/eggbound-peahen-help

-Kathy

 

[Faso]

I will read that now. Thank you! I haven't done the exam and never have before. I never pick them up even thought they are very friendly. I honestly have young children and i didn't want anyone making a habbit of chasing them around and picking them up...With that said, I don't know how i would grab her let along perform the exam. I'm worried i will hurt her. I wish I lived closer to someone who had chickens who could come by but I'm truely in backyard chicken mode here in pompton lakes NJ.

Thanks.

 

[realsis]

Usually they will squat down for you if they are old enough when you approach them them I pick mine up with both hands holding the wings down. Then I hold them close to my body and carry them. Mine are really tame I've handled them since they were babies. But this must be done to help care for your chicken. If you suspect a struggle you can gently wrap her in a towel holding her wings down like I explained. Then to do the exam get some gloves and ky jelly and lube her vent and carefully insert your finger into the vent seeing if you can feel the tip of an egg.if you don't know what your feeling for take another chicken feel her vent inside then do the chicken you suspect with the problem and compare the difference. Sometimes as pet owners we have to step out of our comfort zone in order to help our animals. I know you can do this. Have you ever picked up your chickens before? Its not going to hurt them at all. Just keep the wings held down. If they are not used to being handled they will likely try to flap the wings. Let us know how the exam came out and if you felt the egg? Good luck to you! Best wishes

 

[Faso]

ok, I understand. I haven't picked them up but they are tame, especially this one. This is gonna be tough but it looks like the alternative is bringing her to the vet and i have to get her in some box somehow to do that so I'm going to have to buckle down and do this. Let's say i feel an egg...lube the egg as much as i can and around the inside of the vent? I would rather not put her down and do this all over after I already have her in my lap if you know what i mean...

thank you!

 

[realsis]

Yes if she is bound you can do a few things first give her a human calcium pill or a calcium glutenate injection. Some feed lots carry the calcium injections usually its called theracalcium make sure the ingredients are calcium glutenate this is what the vet will give a egg bound hen. If you can't find the injectable that's OK a human calcium pill will work. The calcium will simulate them to lay. You can also give her a comfortable warm bath to relax her muscles and massage her abdomen. Then you would want to lube her vent with ky jelly other oils can go rancid. Then give her some time and see if she passes the egg.but don't forget the calcium that will really help her. I hope this is helpful and keep us updated.

 

[Faso]

any idea the name of the human calcium pill i can buy? what do you use? Also, do i mash it up and put it in something? How do i give a chicken a pill? Thanks! really want to try this! I put oyster shell in there but not sure if she is touching it.

 

[chickmagnet18]

Has it recently gotten very hot in the last two weeks my chickens here in the Southwest will stop laying in the summer when they heat reaches in the 90's