Stevie Adams Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I got Eddie and Patsy two weeks ago. Patsy was the first to start laying eggs within the first week. She laid three eggs last week, the last one being Saturday. However, yesterday afternoon she seemed a bit down and took to hiding in one corner of the garden. She went back to the Eglu at night and hasn't really come out today apart from for a bit of feed and a bit of water - she hasn't joined Eddie round the garden at all today. She seems to be straining to lay an egg but nothing is coming out, her vent is a bit messy and her poo is a bit sloppier than what it normally looks like. She just seems really uncomfortable. I've read that this might be because she's eggbound but have heard lots of different things to help her. Can anyone offer any advice. Also, if any of the methods have worked, can you give me some idea of how long it will take before she manages to pass the egg - is it instant? Also, if she is eggbound, how long do I have to try and sort the problem before it's going to cause her a serious problem. Thanks in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 How old is she and when did she last lay? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rooster Booster Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 How is she ? I am wondering if my silkie is having the same problem ?! Just gave her a warm bath and put some vaseline around her vent .. to be honest i am whisking her off to the vet in the morning as she is breathing raspily aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 She must be about 18 weeks. She laid on Saturday (I'm guessing about midday) but she'd only laid 3 eggs in the week before. She just seems a bit sad and sorry for herself and she's got quite a dirty bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I would clean her bottom up as it is horribly easy for them to get flystrike at this time of year (flies lay eggs that hatch into maggots). A warm bath may help things. Can you feel an egg by gently feeling (I don't mean feel internally). As she is young and has only just go going, she may have a soft shelled egg on the way which make them feel quite poorly. It doesn't usually take them longer than 48 hours to pass (maximum). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 I might leave her for the night, I've just gone to check on her and she's just had some water and gone back in the pen. If she's like it tomorrow, I'll wait until I get in from work and my partner will be home. We can do it together. I hope she's okay though. I've only had her two weeks and the thought of her being ill is quite horrible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 4, 2011 Author Share Posted July 4, 2011 Just out of interest, if she is eggbound, how long do I have to try and sort out the problem before it can really harm her? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 4, 2011 Share Posted July 4, 2011 I wouldn't leave her longer than 24/48 hrs. You can give warm bath and use lubricant just inside vent taking care to keep everything clean. If you sit her in warm water just make sure you dry her. If you use a hairdryer I've found it relaxes them so she may pass the egg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Well we've given her a warm bath today so at least she's clean. She seemed to really enjoy it actually which was quite nice. She still seems very depressed but I've managed to have a good feel and I can't seem to feel anything solid inside her. She's still not right though. When she stands, she's got her tail and wings pointing downwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 (edited) My chicken has been really down for the last couple of days now! She laid an egg on Saturday but since Sunday she's been sitting down in the coop or in a corner of the garden a lot. I initially though she may be eggbound (She's only laid 3 eggs so far). She had a really messy bottom and seems to have been trying to lay an egg but with no luck. We gave her a bath today to clean her up and hopefully help her lay an egg if there was one but nothing seems to have happened, she's still the same. Her tail is pointing down rather than up. I've had a closer look at her vent and there seems to be something hanging out. I gave it a gentle pull but it seems as though it is firmly stuck, I didn't want to pull any harder. Has anyone seen anything like this at all? It's really worrying me, we've only had her a couple of weeks so I really don't know what to do. Edited July 5, 2011 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Explains it. A retained shell so if you gently pull while supporting the vent it should come out easily. I would give her a spray with antiseptic such as purple spray and check her inside with a clean gloved finger and lubricant or water. If you feel downwards just inside the vent you are in the right opening. Just sweep round gently to check for any retained shell which you can carefully scoop out. Alternatively get to a vet to do it. I've found they pick up really quickly afterwards but if she doesn't she may need some antibiotics. Silly girls do it the hard way sometimes. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 Okay, thanks so much for your help guys! I've had a feel round as best I can but I think it all came out in one. I'm guessing this was a soft shelled one and the photo below is in fact the shell. When I pulled, she was really good and was trying her best to push but I'm concerned that as she pushed quite a lot of pink insides came out the vent, is this normal or is it possible she's prolapsed? I've put her back to bed now, I think she's been prodded about enough for one night but hopefully the worst is over. Fingers crossed she'll be okay tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Well done, it sometimes adheres to their inside when it's been inside a bit which is why I put support the vent. Don't worry it went straight back. They do expell their insides a bit normally when laying to take it past the bowels. You just need to catch her laying and watch it's fascinating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 5, 2011 Author Share Posted July 5, 2011 I did put my fingers round the vent, but have just watched a video online and it looks like it was normal for that to come out. I really can't thank you all enough. I'm guessing it could have got worse the longer it was in there. I never thought I'd have to do that when I got the girls two weeks ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 I think that is the worse you have to do talk about baptism by fire. Hope it goes smoothly now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Well done! Is she ok today? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Adams Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 Just a quick update, Patsy seems to be doing fine now. No more eggs yet, but to be fair, if she never laid another egg I'd be well happy. Unfortunately Eddie had a bit of an issue today with a prolapse, unfortunately the egg had torn her so the vet was able to get the egg out but couldn't really do much else. He said if he repairs the tear, she's likely to need to come and have the stitches out everytime she lays an egg so he had to put her down. Not having much luck, considering I've only had the poor girls for two days. Now I need to decide whether to get a couple more (I'm told you can't introduce individuals) or whether to keep Patsy alone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted July 7, 2011 Share Posted July 7, 2011 Best to get two more, as that makes intros easier Stevie. You can't really keep a hen on her own, they need company as are flock animals. Sorry to hear about Eddie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
