Sick Hen Please help

[jans joy]

We found a huge oval shaped egg this noon in the nesting box. My girls are around 18 weeks, today we gathered 3 eggs. the problem is one of my girls is suddenly become very lathargic has separated herself from the others,and she didn't want any of the watermelon I served them this evening. She drank a bit of the juice and walked away. She seems to be having contractions constantly. I am new at this and have no clue..Very worried. I noticed yellow on the ground and near her vent. I did feel her belly and did not feel an egg. I inserted my finger gently and did not feel anything. I have her separated from the other girls now. But I sure could use some help here PLEASE. What do I do.. Iwas wondering if the huge egg we found may of been hers and she is having issues recovering from such a huge egg. Or if she is egg bound and I can't feel it. Any help would be so appreciated.

 

[Haunted55]

You can try bringing her in and giving her a warm bath. About 10-15 mins. or even longer if you choose. When she has relaxed in the water, I take 3 fingers and gently run them down from the crop to the vent, feeling if there any lumps or anything else that makes me think it may be an eggbound issue. When hens first start laying, there can be issues until their bodies figure it all out and then thing usually settle down. First though, make sure she isn't bound.

If you do happen to feel a lump, first the bath will help her relax and maybe let her pass the egg. You can also give her a human calcium pill with vitamin D. I used 500mg calcium and 400iu D, chewable human pill, crushed and added to a small amount of water. About 3-4 tbls and gave it to her to drink. No other water until she finished that. The calcium works on the muscles, helping them to work properly as well as giving her some added calcium to help with egg formation.

If she doesn't appear to be bound, you'll have to keep your eyes on her. It very well could have been an oversized egg, but it could also be something else. Don't panic, just watch as best you can.

What does she get for feed? Treats? Any vitamins? Is she feverish? Feel the other birds, does she seem warmer then they are? Any meds.? Grit and oyster shell?