UPDATED / Resolved - Egg bound confirmed but on internal exam has skin in the way

UPDATE - good news, went to lift her to give calcium tablets and egg has been laid. Gave calcium anyway. She is now standing and eating! Phew



Hi, I have an ex battery hen. Had her for 5 days. She is one of six.

I'm not sure if she has ever laid while she's been with me but she is definitely egg bound now, as far as I can tell.

I've soaked her in warm salty water (need to buy epsom salts, only have table salt at the moment - also need to buy calcium tablets) for 20 minutes, three times in the last 18 hours approx.

Seems to have made her feel a bit better but on examining her vent I can feel an egg inside but there appears to be some some of internal skin tissue in the way of the eggs direct passage to the vent. I cannot feel a way around it.

She can poop.

I've got her seperated in a quiet dark place for the moment.

Not sure what to do about the egg. I've tried gentle massage but don't think it's having a helpful effect. I've added vaseline to her vent and just inside.

She was initially limping one leg two days ago (could have had a possible fall)

and then spend yesterday just sitting on the ground.

I've read this article - which is very helpful https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/egg-binding-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention.66978/ but it sounds like she has the egg stuck in the shell gland? And I haven't yet found any further useful info.

Her skin is bare around her vent and under her body and there is a large patch of red skin below her vent.

Not eating. Not drinking. appears to be bright and alert, if a bit sleepy.

She does stand up now when encouraged and can take a few steps but she is not walking.

Any thoughts of what to do please, apart from the obvious vet trip, which I'd like to avoid.

Thank you in advance, I'm off out to buy some calcium tablets.