What's the best way to break an egg of an egg bound hen?

[velvet13]

I have a hen who's been egg bound for days and I have tried everything and still she cannot pass it. It is right at the vent so I can see it, does anyone have advice on how to break the egg?

 

[missypebble]

I think there are lots of posts on this forum about egg bound....have you tried giving her a warm bath and massaging her gently? You'll probably need to do this for at least 15 minutes or so (good time to truly bond with your hen as well! I hope things go well with your hen - keep us posted!

 

[velvet13]

Thank you, yes I have taken all measures and read many posts but none seem to describe actually removing the egg when necessary. Many advise to bring her to a vet at this point but this just is not feasible for me so I am trying to do the best I can. Any pointers are welcome, she has been egg bound for the better part of a week and she was getting very backed up with poop and her crop is now very hard, unfortunately I do not have high hopes for this ones survival

If she does turn around and get better I will update.

 

[LittleRedCoop53]

It sounds like you are going to lose your hen anyway if you do not try to break that egg.... i'd get something like a nail ...your going to need help, but break that egg.... good luck

 

[Eggcessive]

I would try lubricating a gloved finger and trying to get the egg out whole. I have not experienced this, but occasionally there can be eggs that have been stuck for a long time that have coatings built up on the outside. She could probably use some calcium (calcium gluconate given orally, or a calcium tablet or Tums crushed and given in food) since egg binding is sometimes a symptom of low calcium. Avian vets have equipment for breaking the eggs and getting all of the contents out, since this is a risky procedure if egg shell is left inside the cloaca. And also try the warm shallow bath, massaging the abdomen toward the vent as missypebble suggested.

 

[LittleRedCoop53]

I have a hen who's been egg bound for days and I have tried everything and still she cannot pass it. It is right at the vent so I can see it, does anyone have advice on how to break the egg?

Just wondering if you were able to save your hen?