This morning I found our hen very lethargic when opening up the henhouse, I watched her and she was sitting hunched up having bad tummy ache and then I saw her passing what looked like a bit of eggwhite a couple of times and her constantly doing little pushes. So I think she may have a broken egg inside her. I read to give her a warm bath and flush her with warm water/oil solution. Would that be right? Can I use olive oil and in which dilution? How often? Anything else I can do?
broken egg inside hen
- Thread starter peggy
- Start date
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Peggy. I wouldn't do any flushing myself. Just lubricate your fingers with Olive oil and try to get all and any egg shell out. What often happens is the shell cuts the inside and infection results, so keep an eye on her. If she goes down vet immediately.
She passed some more liquid stuff (eggwhite?) after the bath but we couldn't feel anything inside her putting a finger an inch and a bit in. No egg shell, and all the liquid seems see-through with a bit of white, no egg yolk. It does look to me like eggwhite but why is there no yolky coloured stuff or eggsack or shelly stuff?
We haven't flushed her yet, she is very sleepy but still rhythmically pushing at the back. We wonder whether flushing water/oil into her would be helpful but you suggest not to and we also not sure where we would put it as there are two openings inside her vent (one is a bit bigger and redder maybe swollen a bit?) Just not sure how we can help her any further.
We haven't flushed her yet, she is very sleepy but still rhythmically pushing at the back. We wonder whether flushing water/oil into her would be helpful but you suggest not to and we also not sure where we would put it as there are two openings inside her vent (one is a bit bigger and redder maybe swollen a bit?) Just not sure how we can help her any further.
foxy
Active member
If you are seeing egg contents, it sounds like she is expelling naturally. I would not be inclined to internal examine her at this stage, you will only cause distress. Internal exams should only be undertaken if you have a understanding of the physiology and anatomy of a hen as well as a clear understanding of the egg laying process. Saying all that, a gentle external feel, and visual observation can tell you quite a lot.
Most commonly in a young pullet it is the soft egg, or incomplete egg that causes problems, leading to discomfort, egg binding and peritonitis.
The best you do can do right now is ensure she is hydrated, so plenty of fresh clean water. If you can get hold of limestone powder, an easily absorbed and quick form of calcium this will not only help with egg shell quality but also with the muscles which are involved with egg laying. You could give her a warm bath to ease her muscles but to be honest I imagine in this weather she will be warm enough!
What to look out for... inappetence, pallor, abdomen feeling warm, fluffed up, generally her condition not improving or worsening. This could indicate an infection,or certainly a further problem which will need diagnosis and treatment from a vet.
Most commonly in a young pullet it is the soft egg, or incomplete egg that causes problems, leading to discomfort, egg binding and peritonitis.
The best you do can do right now is ensure she is hydrated, so plenty of fresh clean water. If you can get hold of limestone powder, an easily absorbed and quick form of calcium this will not only help with egg shell quality but also with the muscles which are involved with egg laying. You could give her a warm bath to ease her muscles but to be honest I imagine in this weather she will be warm enough!
What to look out for... inappetence, pallor, abdomen feeling warm, fluffed up, generally her condition not improving or worsening. This could indicate an infection,or certainly a further problem which will need diagnosis and treatment from a vet.
foxy
Active member
Just reading your post again, it may not necessarily be egg related, just best keep an eye on her at this stage.
What sort of chicken is she? How old? Laying history?
What sort of chicken is she? How old? Laying history?
Thank you for your advice Chris and foxy. Unfortunately she passed away the same afternoon. It's a very strange feeling, her having been completely normal, laying every day (she was 3), no signs of any illness and then being so poorly when letting her out in the morning. I still think it was egg related, luckily my other hens are fine. Thanks again for trying to help.
foxy
Active member
Peggy, I am so sorry... 
chrismahon
Well-known member
Very sorry to hear that Peggy. I agree it was most probably egg related.
