Egg bound?

[Anonymous]

Can someone help? Have come home from work to find our speckled hen not looking lively and wasn't interested in corn, so obviously something's wrong! She looks all hunched over at her back end and her vent is swollen and looks like she needs to lay. Could she be egg bound? What can I do to help her, out vets are now closed. Also, she looks like she is falling asleep just standing in the corner! Please help!!

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, she's now layed a soft shell egg and still looks unhappy, have grit in the run and feeding layers pellets. Anything else I should be doing?

 

[Davidd]

Hi, if she has passed the egg then she should be ok- just keep an eye on her - she can't be egg bound if she has passed it, keep us informed,
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

She has now passed another soft shelled egg
She has picked up now and her tail is up and she's joined the others in the garden to forage. Is this normal though, to have one backed up behind the other? She layed a normal egg yesterday.

 

[Davidd]

Hi, is she young? sometimes it takes awhile for them to settle down with their laying
if she seems better then i wouldn't worry- like i said just keep an eye on her for a few days.
regards, David

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks David, yes she is young and only just starting to lay. Feel more relieved now (as I'm sure does she!) I'm supposed to be going away tomorrow and leaving someone else in charge and am on the verge of saying I can't go because of the chickens. Don't think hubby would be too pleased, he's really looking forward to getting away. :?