When should i get involved?

[Neeci84]

My girl has been trying to get this egg out for 2 days now. Shes pretty much staying in the nesting box, but when she does come out she acts totally normal. Eats well, isn't walking funny, doesn't seem to feel bad. She feels very swollen and tight where the egg is. I gave her a calcium supplement yesterday and today. I hate messing with her because it stresses her out. Should I try the warm bath and ky jelly? Or just let her do her thing?

 

[azygous]

The calcium supplement is adequate for the time being. Warm soaks can exacerbate stress and make getting a stuck egg more difficult to get out.

Her behavior should tell you what state of crisis she's in. As long as she's behaving normally, she's dealing with it. Once she becomes lethargic and fluffed up, tail held low, this will indicate pain and physical urgency. Then it would be time to move her to a crate in a quiet spot with some moist heat and drinking water handy.

 

[Neeci84]

The calcium supplement is adequate for the time being. Warm soaks can exacerbate stress and make getting a stuck egg more difficult to get out.

Her behavior should tell you what state of crisis she's in. As long as she's behaving normally, she's dealing with it. Once she becomes lethargic and fluffed up, tail held low, this will indicate pain and physical urgency. Then it would be time to move her to a crate in a quiet spot with some moist heat and drinking water handy.

Well its day 4 and she's right back in the nesting box. Still acts ok when she pops out for a few minutes. She felt very squishy swollen where im assuming the egg is so I gave her an antibiotic last night. It was super hot to the touch too. Im really worried and unsure what to do. How long can this go on?

 

[Halfpasthen]

Well its day 4 and she's right back in the nesting box. Still acts ok when she pops out for a few minutes. She felt very squishy swollen where im assuming the egg is so I gave her an antibiotic last night. It was super hot to the touch too. Im really worried and unsure what to do. How long can this go on?

Are you certain she isn't broody? Warm belly, staying in the nest box all day, acting fine when she comes out for a few minutes ....

 

[Halfpasthen]

When she comes out have you seen her poo?

 

[azygous]

A thought - a broody is super hot to the touch on her underside. Look along her keel bone for missing feathers. If she's clucking a weird, rapid "chuck, chuck, chuck....", this hen may merely be broody.

 

[Neeci84]

The calcium supplement is adequate for the time being. Warm soaks can exacerbate stress and make getting a stuck egg more difficult to get out.

Her behavior should tell you what state of crisis she's in. As long as she's behaving normally, she's dealing with it. Once she becomes lethargic and fluffed up, tail held low, this will indicate pain and physical urgency. Then it would be time to move her to a crate in a quiet spot with some moist heat and drinking water handy.

Are you certain she isn't broody? Warm belly, staying in the nest box all day, acting fine when she comes out for a few minutes ....

Would her backside seem swollen too? She is very warm under there when I pick her up. She did poop totally normal last night and this morning. I've never dealt with a broody hen so I'm not sure

 

[Halfpasthen]

Would her backside seem swollen too? She is very warm under there when I pick her up. She did poop totally normal last night and this morning. I've never dealt with a broody hen so I'm not sure

If she can poo normally he is most likely not egg bound.

 

[azygous]

It may be just fat if it's below her vent and just behind her legs.

Signs of a broody are a rapid but muted clucking, missing feathers on each side of the breast bone, irritability resulting in occasional screeches, puffing up and flattening her body when disturbed on the nest. The real clincher is, when removed from the nest and placed on the floor, she remains for a bit in the nest sitting position, then zips right back onto the nest.

 

[Neeci84]

If she can poo normally he is most likely not egg bound.

After some more research I think you're right about the broodiness. Thanks for the tip!