What did I just see? Egg bound?

[Eggcessive]

Tums flavors may not appeal, but you can cut in half and just plop it ito the back of her beak. It might be hidden into some yummy treat such as eggs, but giving it straight up, you know that she got it. Still sitting on the nest is a little worrisome that she may be going to pass more egg material, or that she feels very poorly which does happen with these temporary problems. Hopefully she will feel better tomorrow, but I would offer some water or electrolytes if she will drink. Most hens will eat crushed egg shells that have been saved and crushed, and those have calcium.

 

[GonzoTheGreat]

Thanks for the responses, she is out of the coop and scratching around like normal at the moment. So maybe we're good for now. In fact she just pecked someone who was crowding her spot. Certainly isn't lethargic right now. Almost sundown though, so she will be heading inside to roost soon.

Oh and there isn't anything in the nest box she was in.

 

[Eggcessive]

That is good to hear. Hopefully, it was a one time problem.

 

[Lizzy733]

Unfortunately, I've had to deal with both salpingitis and egg-binding in my flock. At this stage, it does look like it was just egg-binding as she would still be rather 'off' if it was an internal infection like salpingitis.
Make sure she gets additional calcium for the next few days and monitor her egg quality for the time being. Have you been getting any brittle or soft shells leading up to this? Lack of calcium can actually interfere with their muscles' ability to contract and push an egg out and taking the grit away may have been a factor.
If she has a repeat episode, bring her in for a warm epsom salt soak. It relaxes the muscles and will help with passing the egg. You should also be able to feel her abdomen for the presence of an egg - it will feel 'dense' compared to her flockmates.

The hallmark of salpingitis will be the passing of cottage cheese like puss (possibly with no-shell eggs). If you see this, try to get her on antibiotics or to a specialist vet as soon as possible and also provide epsom salt soaks to reduce swelling and clean her vent area. You do not need to isolate for salpingitis as it isn't contagious, but if she cannot keep up with the flock, she should be separated to rest up.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the reply. Hopefully she is better. Still on the nest at the moment.

I guess I'm not sure how much is too much protein. I feed them layer pellets - nature's best organic 16%. We give them treats from time to time - corn scratch, fruit, veggies. So they shouldn't be getting much extra protein besides what they find in the yard. We did just add a bird feeder in the yard with black oil sunflowers that they clean up under.

I would also provide oyster shell free choice. Even though you give a layer feed, some hens may need more calcium for the formation of eggs.
16% protein feed is not too much protein - it's being diluted further by corn, scratch, fruit, veggies, etc. I would not reduce the amount of protein that your hens are getting.

There are many causes of soft shelled eggs - lack of calcium, not enough protein, obesity and age are a few.
I would just keep watch on her for a few days. If she's not off the nesting box in the morning I would give extra calcium as suggested. Get her hydrated and personally, I direct dose hens with poultry vitamins like Poultry Cell to give them a boost as well.

 

[CityslickerHomestead]

I have not needed to use it, but some have recommended liquid calcium supplements that you may be able to “force” down the chicken rather than waiting for her to eat Tums.
You can buy children’s liquid calcium on Amazon.