If you are a full blown chicken farmer or simply a backyard chicken keeper as are most of us, you have either heard of an egg bound hen, experienced it, or are having a problem right now.
Luckily, this problem doesn't occur that often. But if it happens to you it is crucial to act quickly!
CAUSES OF EGG BINDING
Egg Drop Symptom: (EDS '76) you could bring home from any store bought chicks. Soft shell eggs.
Genetics: If you have a hen this happened to, there is not much you can do about it in the future, perhaps not use her as breeding stock.
Holding on to an egg: Sometimes it happens that a hen will deliberately hold on to her egg until her favorite nest box becomes available. This can damage her necessary muscles and can be a reason for egg binding. I noticed that some of my chickens are waiting in line for that particular one nesting box while six others are empty. So I put eggs in all the others, make sure its very clean and inviting, easy access.
Infection: It can happen that a hen will have an infection in her reproductive system and you may not even notice symptoms, but it could cause all kinds of problems as well as muscle weakness.
Lack of calcium: Hens use lots of calcium to build strong bones, to put a shell onto the egg and to help her muscles contract and push that egg out. If a hen is lacking calcium the muscles do not have enough energy to contract and push the egg forward as they would do generally.
Lack of magnesium: Helps the hens to release the muscles just as important as the calcium to contract both functions have to work in harmony.
Malformed eggs: Very large Eggs sometimes double yoke eggs or misshaped eggs could be another problem that causes egg binding.
Obesity: Hens that overweight can have a hard time expelling an egg because their muscles become weaker over time and are unable to contract as strongly as they would normally.
Premature laying: Such as in large egg producing farms, this can happen when young pullets are forced to lay eggs when they are still too young by keeping on the artificial lights and feeding them adult layer feed to promote early laying. Feed non-medicated starter feed at least for 20 weeks.
Stress: Many reasons could cause stress on hens such as a new coop or new flock members can cause a hiccup in their egg production system.
Worms: A hen with a tremendous internal parasite possession is susceptible to egg binding.
MEANING OF EGG BINDING
Egg bound means that an egg is stuck in her oviduct and the usual place of problem is between the uterus and the cloaca, and is a life threatening situation. It is best to see a vet, however, if you do not have access to a veterinarian many chicken keepers take care of the problem themselves to safe the hen's life, because you only have 24-48 hours to take care of the problem or the hen will most likely perish.
The egg is literally stuck in the last portion of her reproductive tract, and the chicken is unable to pass the egg as easily as she would normally.
When all circumstances are perfect the egg travels pointy end first all the way to the shell gland or uterus.
Upon the shell has been laid over the egg, the egg starts to turn so that the blunt end passes first. But just like with a real human baby it sometimes changes directions in the last minute and the same happens with the hen. The egg can get stuck and cannot complete the transit and it doesn't matter what breed or color the egg is.
There are a few potential signs to tell if a hen is egg bound:
POTENTIAL SYMPTOMS OF EGG BINDING
- Abdominal straining.
- Disinterest in drinking.
- Decreased activity.
- Legs - one or both may appear to be lame because the egg is pressing on the nerves in the pelvis.
- Loss of appetite.
- No interest in moving around like usually
- Panting respiratory rate
- Passing wet droppings or none at all (egg is interfering with normal relief)
- Shaky wings.
- Tail pumping: This is the second cardinal sign for egg binding. She will stand legs apart, squatting low to the ground and start pumping her tail up and down in an effort to lay the egg.
- Walking or standing like a penguin.
- Weak appearance
TREATMENT OF EGG BINDING
- Give her Calcium. – This is very important for muscle strength to push egg out!
- Rehydrate gently the Hen by any means.
- Warm Epsom Salt Bath for at least 30 minutes making sure her abdomen is covered in the water. After that dry her very well, with blow dryer works great.
- Lubricate (Vaseline) her vent for easier egg retrieval, using gloves is recommended.
- Place her in a dark, quite, and warm area.
- Massage your hen gently is suggested by many, however, it could break the egg and cause severe problems even death to the hen, so be extremely careful! WARNING
- Repeat steps 1-5 if necessary.
SERIOUS DANGER OF EGG BINDING
PREVENTION OF EGG BINDING
- Avoid extra lightening to induce laying in the winter months
- Best to feed a balanced diet which is provided by layer feed and oyster shells, regular eggshells doesn't seem to be enough calcium, however, I wonder how chickens laid eggs without those oyster shells a hundred years ago? Hmmmm?
- Keep stress and parasites away, clean coop and nest, bullies separate
- Avoid feeding layer feed to young pullets/hens (never roosters damages kidneys) under 20 weeks
The Following Video explains a hen's Reproductive System
Recap of Egg Binding
- If you can have another person video everything to help others.
- Act immediately either by going to Vet or handle yourself.
- It could take many contractions before she finally lays the egg
- Better to have a second person helping holding the hen's wings down and you could extremely gently massage the butt area of hen after the warm Epsom salt bath.
- If you did remove the hard or soft shell egg, be aware there could/will be second egg coming.
- Keep chicken separate to recuperate for a couple of days in a stress free place.
- Could take five to seven days before laying regular again.
- Discard egg - since it is unclear what caused the egg binding!
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with an egg bound hen, but if you should you will feel much more prepared knowing what to expect and what to do.
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Have a happy chicken day my friends, blessings,
Liane
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Liane S. Page
