[patsyg323]

Hi We've had our girls since mid-march and 2 or them are laying nicely but the Suffolk Noir laid a few soft shelled eggs then one good one 2 weeks ago and nothing since.  I've kept feeling her under her vent and all seemed fine until this morning I had to lift her out of the house and she's definitely blocked up. 

Since 6.30 this morning I've applied warm olive oil, and she's standing in a box with a hot water bottle and paper shredding in it.  Also tried warming her vent with a hairdryer.

She's not not passed anything and I'm off on hols lunchtime today!

My partner is looking after them while I'm away but he knows nothing about chickens.

Suggestion please??  I live just south of Newbury.

Thanks

[nicky d]

Sorry to hear about your girlie,  im sure ive read on here when someones else's chook was egg bound that they filled up a sink or basin with warm water and put her init for a while until she passed the egg, make sure theres enough water in though up to her vent area,  try it and see if it works, im sure someone else will be along in a minute to help             nickyx

[joyfull]

Nicky is right if she is egg bound then she needs to be in a sink with warm water for at least 40 minutes or even an hour, this will help her relax so that she is able to pass the egg. Are you sure she is egg bound and not just getting ready to lay an egg as normal - when they are just starting to lay they do lay intermittently and have the odd softee.

[patsyg323]

Update -  Thanks for your suggestions folks.

Our chook got worse during the morning and I also tried a warm hairdryer which someone had suggested.   Eventually took her to the vet who removed a whole egg encased in a soft shell which she wouldn't have squeezed out herself.   He also gave her a painkiller and antibiotic shot.  Said she may just have a problem laying or she may have egg peritonitas.  Let's hope she picks up in the next few hours.  She's back in her box with a hottie in peace and quiet for a couple of hours.

Please keep everything crossed.

Thanks

[Jeanette]

I hope it turns out ok for her and that she makes a rapid recovery.

[Curlytop]

I Hope she gets back to normal very soon, it can be so worrying

[alisonwo]

I am interested to know how you manage to keep a hen with her bum in warm water for 2 seconds never mind 40 minutes.  Its a long time to hold her down, is there a knack to this?  Just in case I ever have to do it - alison

[joyfull]

believe it or not once they are in they do settle down and enjoy it.

[patsyg323]

Thanks for all your messages of support.

Sadly nature took its course soon after I set off on hols and the chook died.   

So we are now down to 2 hybrids: a Rhode Sussex and a Bluebelle who are both laying 6 nice eggs a week.

Our next issue is how to add 2-3 new birds (maybe Warrens) to the girls. 

[joyfull]

so sorry - huge hugs xxx
good luck with getting some new girls though 

[feelingbroody]

oh Patsy what a huge shame, I read your post with great interest just in case 

Try to enjoy your holiday, you did your utmost best.

Broody x

[Tazzy]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I've always added new chucks at night when the girls are calmer, then when they wake up the next morning it's a case of "where did they come from?" They're then a bit bemused for a while until the inevitable bullying starts, but that soon passes. Good luck