New2this Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hi All, I have a rather strange question but apologies if this has been discussed before. I'm new to all of this, just ordered my cube, delivery in 3 weeks time. I met a new colleague today who to my great delight I discovered keeps chickens so naturally she started offering me some very useful tips . However, she mentioned that I will need a large tub of vaseline and some latex gloves . She then proceeded to tell me it's not unusual for the chickens to become 'EGG BOUND' Needless to say she proceeded in great detail to explain what the 'vaseline and gloves' were required for...I shall spare you the details but I'm sure most of you will be able to put 2&2 together So my question is 1) Is this true? and 2) Can the chickens not be given something to prevent this happening as it sounds awful for the poor chooks and 3) the 'other' method involves Steam (?) Yours truly perplexed Christine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hello New2This, and welcome to the forum . I've had no experience of an egg-bound chicken but I am led to believe that everything you've been told is true . I think the steam method is the most favoured (unsurprisingly ). Don't think it's very common though, so you'll probably be spared . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Hi Christine, I'm new to this as well. Still haven't decided on what chickens to get and my cube is coming in 3 weeks as well Others on the forum will be able to give you much more practical experience on this but from what I have read this is something that does happen, but a rare thing (please correct me someone if I am wrong). Steam method is one way of trying to solve it (not burning the chicken though) and the vaseline method another. Don't let your friend put you off: with everything there are lots of problems that can occur if you look at all the possibilities. Doesn't mean that they are going to happen. I'm not sure if there is something to minimise the likelihood of it happening - probably there is something and others will know Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 AAAARGH I SHOULD NOT HAVE READ THIS POST!!!!!!!! Ms TilywilltrytogetsomesleepmaybeMsTilydoesntwanteggsafterall Ms Tillybedboundpleasedon'tmentionthevaselineorgloves MEDUSA PANDORA BODECIA CORDELIA ETHEL AGNUS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 They do become eggbound very occasionally. We are generally advised against tinkering with the insides of the hen. Unless you know what you are doing you could break the egg whilst it is still inside and cause even worse problems. If they have enough calcium in their diet it is unlikely though, as good hard shells are formed, and the muscular contractions will be strong enough to push the egg along the laying tackle easily. Don't worry about it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New2this Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 Thanks everyone and sorry if I grossed you out some what, seems like it's not something I should worry about for now, thankfully Have a lovely Easter, the weekend has come early!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 im in my 2nd year of chicken keeping - no vaseline hands or hands up vent here! However, we have used the "steam method" one time only (holding chicken over bowl) when she got a soft shelled egg stuck - and it worked! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nuggywoo Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I've never heard of the vaseline & glove method but I think you'll find it's not a good idea. Also it may be illegal (?) as it's classed as 'invasive' and only a vet can carry out this type of thing. Correct me if I'm wrong. I love my Beauties too much to let them suffer the pain & humiliation of an 'Airport Search'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I love my Beauties too much to let them suffer the pain & humiliation of an 'Airport Search'. My cup of tea has just come down my nose! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Please God if i am a very good girlie & clean my chooks our properly & very regularly, if i give them treats only once a day & never moan about their poops ever ever again . Please God if i am more than kind to all i meet, even the very smelly incoherent person who was very drunk & kept leaning on me & talking non stop at the airport, or .. if i promise never to ever eat too much of my daughters chocolate eggs ever again .. or even if i promise never to put a raw egg in the bottom of our guests coffee as a surprise ever ever again . . please oooh please God may i never EVER experience an egg bound chicken!!!!!! PANDORA MEDUSA ETHEL AGNUS CORDELIA BODECIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Please God if i am a very good girlie & clean my chooks our properly & very regularly, if i give them treats only once a day & never moan about their poops ever ever again . Please God if i am more than kind to all i meet, even the very smelly incoherent person who was very drunk & kept leaning on me & talking non stop at the airport, or .. if i promise never to ever eat too much of my daughters chocolate eggs ever again .. or even if i promise never to put a raw egg in the bottom of our guests coffee as a surprise ever ever again . . please oooh please God may i never EVER experience an egg bound chicken!!!!!! /quote] Love the prayer - says she who has been scoffing mini Green & Black's eggs in the kitchen whilst washing up. Do I get the impression this topic has touched a bit of a nerve I just refuse to think about it until it happens Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hmmn now what the heck did I do wrong with that quote - obviously deleted something I shouldn't have Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 The last bit should have read You deleted the left bracket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phosphorus Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Aaaghh course it should back to html school I go Thanks Egluntine Andrea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 You are welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 hello I'm nearing my 1st chook anniversary and have never had an egg bound chook. Peppers has had an occassional problem with softshelled eggs (i.e. membrane only) and on a couple of occassions I have panicked as she has been very sluggish. However, I now know that this usually means she is producing another soft shell (yes 2 in a day) and once that's out of the way, she is happy as Larry. Soft shells are still edible by the way, just need to cut the membrane carefully with sissors. As others have said, good layers pellets or mash, a bowl of grit/oyster shell, a good wander around the garden if you can will ensure a good mixed diet and happy healthy chooks. Have lots of fun with your new charges - you will soon wonder how you ever lived with out them. Westie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Oh no I COULDN'T eat a membrane one. I will definitly be feeding mine 'limestone flour' !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I must admit it wouldn't take my fancy either. More to do with how it looks than common sense I'm sure but.......*shudder* No Ta! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Honest, you won't know the difference, its just not got a proper shell and its still in a perfect wrapper. It can be a little difficult carrying them though as they are fragile but if I'm in any doubt, the dog gets those or any cracked eggs (accidents do happen - especially when all want to use the next box at the same time). I just cherish their lovely eggs, perfectly formed or a little odd. Westie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hello, please excuse my ignorance but what is soft shelled/ membrane egg ?? Ms Tilyiswaaaytoowimpishandsqeamishtohaveeggboundchooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clucky1 Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Ooh - you will know it when you get one. My chooks produce them every now and then. It is basically and egg but the shell hasn't formed on the outside. Looks like an 'alien' - couldn't eat one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyren Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Sometimes the egg moves through their system too quickly and doesn't spend enough time in the shell gland, so only a thin layer of calcium carbonate - or none at all - is laid down. Often happens to pullets when they start to lay - or to any hens at this time of year, when the lengthening days give their hormones a boost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hello, please excuse my ignorance but what is soft shelled/ membrane egg ?? Ms Tilyiswaaaytoowimpishandsqeamishtohaveeggboundchooks Here you go And just so you're prepared, here's a yolk with separate membrane (please excuse the poo ) Bet you're glad you asked now, aren't you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted March 22, 2008 Share Posted March 22, 2008 OOooh A.N.H. I'm just pleased you didn't have photograph of an egg bound chicken! Thanks for the answers, more than prepared - faint!! smelling salts .!. .and breathe Ms Tilykeepsherfingerscrossedthatalliswellandallwillbewelloncethebegintolay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...