PLEASE Help! Egg bound chicken... SURVIVABLE?

[Sylviesoph]

Hi all!
My parents have 4 chickens and 2 bantams. They are currently on holiday so the responsibility for their care falls with me... hence the panic!

Today I noticed one of the hens (around 9mths-1 yr old) going in and out the coop and sitting for long periods. When I went to collect the eggs she hadn't laid but there was a runny yellowy substance where she had sat.

I went and found her and she was very lethargic, eyes closed and allowed me to pick her up which is unusual, she's normally quite feisty. I noticed her bottom looked really sore, feathers missing, and it seemed like the muscles were moving trying to push but nothing was happening, there was also yellowy mucus around her bottom.

After reading many of your forums, I gave her a warm bath and massaged around the area to no effect. I then rang my cousin (auntie and brother- I was in panic mode by then!) and using lubricant and gloves we felt inside for a stuck egg. After some time we found and removed what looks like a deflated egg shell, and 2 smaller pieces which had broken away. The shell was flimsy and almost rubbery to touch.

I have now moved our poor little chicken into a separate coop (the other chickens were pecking at her bottom), and settled her in for the evening. She's seems brighter and is pecking for food etc.

Is there hope? Am I going to wake up tomorrow to bad news?

Sorry for the long post, but I suppose I'm looking for reassurance.

Also what could cause these flimsy eggs? I have mashed oyster shell into all of her food. I was wondering if it could be worms? And should I be prepared for this to happen again?

Any advice would be appreciated! It's been a long stressful Saturday night.

Thanks
Sophie

 

[nchls school]

Hi all!
My parents have 4 chickens and 2 bantams. They are currently on holiday so the responsibility for their care falls with me... hence the panic!

Today I noticed one of the hens (around 9mths-1 yr old) going in and out the coop and sitting for long periods. When I went to collect the eggs she hadn't laid but there was a runny yellowy substance where she had sat.

I went and found her and she was very lethargic, eyes closed and allowed me to pick her up which is unusual, she's normally quite feisty. I noticed her bottom looked really sore, feathers missing, and it seemed like the muscles were moving trying to push but nothing was happening, there was also yellowy mucus around her bottom.

After reading many of your forums, I gave her a warm bath and massaged around the area to no effect. I then rang my cousin (auntie and brother- I was in panic mode by then!) and using lubricant and gloves we felt inside for a stuck egg. After some time we found and removed what looks like a deflated egg shell, and 2 smaller pieces which had broken away. The shell was flimsy and almost rubbery to touch.

I have now moved our poor little chicken into a separate coop (the other chickens were pecking at her bottom), and settled her in for the evening. She's seems brighter and is pecking for food etc.

Is there hope? Am I going to wake up tomorrow to bad news?

Sorry for the long post, but I suppose I'm looking for reassurance.

Also what could cause these flimsy eggs? I have mashed oyster shell into all of her food. I was wondering if it could be worms? And should I be prepared for this to happen again?

Any advice would be appreciated! It's been a long stressful Saturday night.

Thanks
Sophie

Pecking for food is a good sign; there's always hope. I doubt worms would be the cause for soft shelled eggs. What is the cause is only guesswork. Yes, it could happen again. It's a matter of wait and see. Good luck.

 

[Sylviesoph]

Pecking for food is a good sign; there's always hope. I doubt worms would be the cause for soft shelled eggs. What is the cause is only guesswork. Yes, it could happen again. It's a matter of wait and see. Good luck.

Thanks! I suppose I just need to wait until morning now! Fingers crossed.

 

[gibsterl]

I had this happen to me one time and did exactly the same thing-when I did it took about 4-5 hours and she was eating and back to her old self, she is still here 3 yrs later, you likely saved her life-how is she doing today?