Egg Binding

[skysmum]

Witnessed Chilli and Freddy mating , this is the first time ive seen it but they have been very much an item since he arrived. She has been consuming vast amounts of cuttle bone etc for the past few days. Im worried now, she is too old, she has just turned 7 , any advice, is it possible that this could be ok.

[Hezz]

My understanding was that without the nest-box, the egg-laying was a rather remote possibility. I am willing to be corrected as this is simply my recollection.

I would be worried, too, in your position. Besides separating them, I don't know what else you can do.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Just don't give her anything like a nest box.
Try to upset her daily routine, by changing her place, putting her alone for some time daily and so on. She needs to know that she is not settled enough for breeding. This works with some hens.

[skysmum]

Thanks BB, im just terrified if she lays an egg she will become egg bound at this age . Nothing nest wise in with them so i will just try and keep her busy and hope for the best. Ive kept males and females together for years without this problem and hope this wont be the exception, ive added calcivet to the water just incase.

[samwiseg]

Blimey. I wasn't expecting that! Hope things don't progress for those two for you Skysmum x

[skysmum]

Feb 14, 2014 10:16:52 GMT samwiseg said:

Blimey. I wasn't expecting that! Hope things don't progress for those two for you Skysmum x

Nor me sam, if it had been Inca id be doing the highland fling but not Freddy . Im keeping them very busy changing things around and encouraging Chilli out most of the day, when im here. Just got to watch her like a hawk for any signs of possible egg binding, she is showing all the signs of possibly making one .

[BudgiesBuddy]

Feb 14, 2014 9:19:40 GMT skysmum said:

Thanks BB, im just terrified if she lays an egg she will become egg bound at this age . Nothing nest wise in with them so i will just try and keep her busy and hope for the best. Ive kept males and females together for years without this problem and hope this wont be the exception, ive added calcivet to the water just incase.

You're welcome

Yes, laying at this age would be asking for serious troubles. I hope it's just a fun thing.

[BudgiesBuddy]

By the way, good call with the Calcivet

[stace]

[skysmum]

Feb 15, 2014 8:05:42 GMT BudgiesBuddy said:

Feb 14, 2014 9:19:40 GMT skysmum said:

Thanks BB, im just terrified if she lays an egg she will become egg bound at this age . Nothing nest wise in with them so i will just try and keep her busy and hope for the best. Ive kept males and females together for years without this problem and hope this wont be the exception, ive added calcivet to the water just incase.

You're welcome

Yes, laying at this age would be asking for serious troubles. I hope it's just a fun thing.

It never fails to amaze me how they can do it just for fun with no consequence

Just a couple of things BB, im probably worrying needlessly but ive never witnessed an egg being passed outside of a nest box, how long does the laying process take, just to be prepared if she was to start, i need to know if i think its stuck in time to get her to the vets.

Also if its late at night, i know that warm water helps but is it right that you can give calcivet directly into the mouth and if so how many drops.

Sorry to be a pain i just need to be prepared . She is doing alot of laying around today on the platforms that i have joining the cages.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Well, considering consequences and so on, should be the difference between human and animal/birds. But unfortunately that does not seem to be the case anymore, when it comes to relationships between men and women.

When breeding, a hen lays egg every 48 hours. So the whole process takes this long, from egg making to laying.

Signs of egg binding include...
Tail bobbing and wiggling
Drooping of wings
Standing with a wider stance
Funny looking walking
Lack of appetite
Disinterest in drinking
Dirty vent area
Passing wet droppings
No droppings at all
Fluffed feathers
Weakness
Difficult/labored breathing
Staying at bottom of the cage
Abdominal straining
Abdomen distended
Leg paralysis or lameness (because the egg can put pressure on the nerves going to the legs)

Giving a drop or two of undiluted liquid calcium directly into the beak, can save a hen’s life. It is adsorbed rapidly, resulting in revitalizing nerves and muscles thus helping the hen to push the egg out. But it’s better to crop feed liquid calcium, cod liver oil and epsom salts.

Warm water is used, but it makes the hen wet which can make her more uncomfortable, especially the ones who don’t like water. They will make sharp body movements to get rid of the water, which can possibly break the egg inside her body. When in emergency, some people use the steam from the shower in a bathroom and I think it is the better option. Use very hot water with doors and windows closed.

But it’s better to keep your hospital cage ready. Especially if you see any of the above signs. It shouldn’t have any perches and should be covered from all sides. The front should be closed but not covered. Heat and moister inside hospital cage are very important. Those commercially available brooders or hospital cages which control the heat and moister automatically are the best. In case of a homemade one, put a wet sponge in it and use a heating bulb from the top of the cage so some evaporation can happen. Temperature should be between 85 to 90 °F. And the humidity should be around 80%. Use a meter which has both temperature and humidity gauges.

Catching and handling egg-bound hens can be dangerous. So be careful.

Give the hen her favorite foods in hospital cage. Also providing liquid calcium, vitamins and electrolytes in the water would boost her energy which can help in passing the egg.

Check your local vet timings and also find out when and where he can be contacted in case of emergency.

[BudgiesBuddy]

Feb 13, 2014 10:07:32 GMT skysmum said:

Witnessed Chilli and Freddy mating , this is the first time ive seen it but they have been very much an item since he arrived. She has been consuming vast amounts of cuttle bone etc for the past few days. Im worried now, she is too old, she has just turned 7 , any advice, is it possible that this could be ok.

I have changed the thread name so it can be searched easily in the future

[marleen4]

Hens without a nest box in my aviary have been known to lay eggs, although this is not common. They drop them from the perch onto the floor. Hope all will go well for you.

[samwiseg]

I have also heard that cod liver oil helps with egg binding - plus have found some info here skysmum on Barrie's website for preparation, during laying (if she does) and after x

[skysmum]

Thankyou all .