egg bound hen

poultrypals · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:13 pm **Posts:** 3

Can someone please tell me what the symtoms are for an egg bound hen I think I may have one? thank you

Phoebe · **Posted:** Mon Jun 20, 2011 9:36 pm

Hi poultrypals,

If your hen is egg bound due to it not being able to lay an egg formed in its uterus, it will be straining and restless and not able to lay. If it keeps straining the oviduct will partly protrude or prolapse.

If the problem is due to egg peritonitis, which is caused by egg material not getting into the oviduct, then the hen will be very depressed and have a swollen abdomen. Often, there will be egg material outside its oviduct. The hen will also tend to peck its under carriage feathers.

Phoebe

Buzzard · **Joined:** Sun Jan 30, 2011 8:21 pm **Posts:** 168

Either way get her in a box with a brooder lamp. Heat will assist and more than likely save her if she's egg bound. a dose of electrolytes will also help.

Phoebe · **Posted:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 3:06 pm

Thanks for the advice, Buzzard. Phoebe

Howdey · **Joined:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:23 pm **Posts:** 1

What are the signs of a hen being egg bound? I think I may have one?

Phoebe · **Posted:** Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:19 pm

Hi Howdey,
If your hen is egg bound due to it not being able to lay an egg formed in its uterus, it will be straining and restless and not able to lay. If it keeps straining, the oviduct may partly protrude or prolapse.
Phoebe

Poultry Doc · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm **Posts:** 29

Hello and good day.

Egg bound is a term used traditionally for a syndrome related to egg laying. Usually, one will see egg materials, like yolk and broken shells, oozing out of the vent area. Chances are it will take some time for the hen to come back to normal egg production because usually a secondary infection like peritonitis occurs. Worst, some hens die of this infection. In bigger farms, these hens are separated and culled.

If you think that your case is egg bound, the suggested electrolytes in good plus any other supplement to help her survive. Also, monitor her because if you notice that an infection has set in (inappetence, darkening of combs, secretions, etc), then you might need to give antibiotics.

Thanks and good luck.

Phoebe · **Posted:** Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:26 pm

Poultry Doc, Thanks for the helpful post. Phoebe

Poultry Doc · **Joined:** Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:40 pm **Posts:** 29

You are welcome Phoebe and good day.

poultrypals · **Joined:** Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:13 pm **Posts:** 3

I put the hen in a box with a desk lamp as thats all I had but it did the trick after about 16 hours she passed the egg and is now back with the others and laying fine again. Thank you your help was great

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