Unknown issue... Maybe eggbound

[VivianL]

I awoke this morning to find one of my hens on the bottom of the coop. At first I thought she was laying on an egg (she was sitting near where she usually lays her eggs). I checked and found a bunch of smelly poo stuck to her feathers (she must have been there for awhile during the night). She is acting in some ways like she is about to lay but she will not stand for long. She took a few steps over to the food and after a few nibbles, closing her eyes, keeping her tail down, ... laid back down. As the other 2 came out of the coop to head off to forage this girl tried to follow but after afew steps she laid back down.

I have her laying in a small cage with a heating pad under her. I can feel a mass in her abdomen but I don't know if its an egg or if she's backed up with poo.

I have parrots and have dealt with egg laying problems (prolapses, broken inside, etc) but not sure if that is what I'm seeing here.

Any suggestions for me to try before getting a vet involved? She does seem bright eyed and 'talking'.

Thanks
Vivian

*Edited: Update: She is eating/drinking. I checked on her and she had a large normal poo with no signs of egg parts, blood. She doesn't want to stand and she does pant on and off. I removed her from the cage for a bit to massage her belly and she pants on and off but she doesn't seem to be straining to lay

 

[faykokoWV]

Can you still feel a hard mass in her lower belly?

read this post, it may help

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=19259

 

[VivianL]

I did warm baths, calcium, heat pad.... nothing. After a few local calls and not getting far with info here or elsewhere I took the risk and was able to internally and externally manipulate the egg and help her pass it. A day confined to recover (she was eating/drinking just fine) and she is up and running with the other 2 again as if nothing happened.

 

[marthalazar]

I am dealing with an egg-bound hen. I did an internal exam and was able to feel the egg, but it was through some tissue. I am at a total loss for how to get at it. I keep trying to "milk" it down, but that's not helping.

Please advise on how to get the egg to the right spot!!!!