quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Didier has been odd today. I noticed about an hour ago that she was all puffed up (usually how she looks before laying a softie) and have been checking on her. She's been standing still with her eyes shut (unless another girl moves near her) I threw down some corn to see if she would show an interest, which she did and while I was there felt around her vent which seems really soild. Is she egg bound? How long should I wait before I try sittting her on a hot water bottle? I'm on my own today with two small and excitable boys (3 and 1) so am worried Didier may get stressed out with them wanting to "help" Ermmmm help please? What should I do ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 you could try steaming....we did it sucessfully once. Get a bucket/bowl of boiling water, one person holds the hen safely above the water so that the steam is going towards her vent, the other person holds a towel around the bottom of the hen and over the bowl so the steam doesnt escape. After about 5 minutes or so the egg hopefully should come out. It might be a soft shelled egg - hens always looked hunched and unwell if it is a softie. *just noticed you are on your own, probably my idea not a good suggestion with 2 young boys around * Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 No but I will try that later when hubby home from work (about . She should be in bed by then but I imagine it will be easy to see if she still looks uncomfortable. Thanks for your response Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Have just been out to take out their tea and D came over and ate some, still hunched up but on checking the way the others vents feel, hers isn't any different, so am now really confused. Have checked for lice - none. They were all wormed about 4 wees ago with flubenvet. Her laying is a bit erratic she lays fine for a few days, then a double yolker followed by a day off then a couple of softies, but she always lays in the morning have never seen her like this at this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 I just went to shut the eglu door and D was roosting with her back facing the door (luckily) and she had a big soft egg hanging out of her vent. I gave it a gentle pull and it came out and broke and inside it there was another soft egg (but a harder shell than the outer one) No wonder the poor thing looked so uncomfortable. I'm hoping she's feeling much better now and will be back to her cheeky self in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 im sure she will be fine in the morning, a softie always wipes them out for a few hours prior and after laying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 Hope so... I've been getting the jist that laying softies make them feel really off colour... any idea why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 are your girls new to laying? if they are then it is normal to be getting softies. do they have access to grit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 23, 2008 Author Share Posted November 23, 2008 two laying for about 3 weeks and two not laying yet. They have grit and oyster shell and I crush up their cooked eggshell and put it in their porridge. Was thinking of getting some limestone flour or zoltan D (??) Perhaps I should wait a while and see how D goes.(just hate seeing her look like that!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 more than likely just a phase then, at the beginning of laying people do experience hens laying odd shaped eggs, softies etc for a while so dont worry it will pass once their laying bits have got into full gear. They have plenty of grit and shell etc so they will be perfectly fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 two laying for about 3 weeks and two not laying yet. They have grit and oyster shell and I crush up their cooked eggshell and put it in their porridge. Was thinking of getting some limestone flour or zoltan D (??) Perhaps I should wait a while and see how D goes.(just hate seeing her look like that!) It is probably just them getting used to laying but I know what you mean about them looking so miserable. A bit of limestone flour or Zolcal D won't hurt if you think they may need a bit more calcium and it may put your mind at ease that you are "doing all you can". I know that all us chicken mummys worry so much and don't like our girls looking like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 23, 2008 Share Posted November 23, 2008 Article on eggbinding **here**. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quinlan Posted November 24, 2008 Author Share Posted November 24, 2008 Thanks all of you... She looks fine this morning, came running out to feed her face. Think I'll purchase some of the calcium doo dahs just in case !!! I had read the egg binding artical Egluntine but wasn't sure if I could do any of the bathing/steaming on my own with the little boys helping!! (and not sure if D would have got too stressed out) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 glad to hear she is ok today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mostin Posted November 24, 2008 Share Posted November 24, 2008 It's lovely when they bounce back isn't it . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
