Egg binding is a serious health condition that can affect laying hens. An egg bound chicken has an egg that is stuck in the oviduct and unable to be laid. This stuck egg prevents other eggs from being laid and also blocks the hen’s digestive system. Understanding what causes egg binding can help chicken owners prevent and treat this potentially fatal condition.
What is Egg Binding?
Egg binding also known as oviduct impaction, refers to when an egg gets lodged in the oviduct of a hen and she cannot expel it. The egg usually gets stuck right before the cloaca, but can also become trapped in the shell gland.
When an egg binds the hen’s body goes into distress mode. She will strain to try to lay the egg but the contractions of the reproductive tract muscles are not strong enough to push it out.
Meanwhile, the stuck egg blocks any other eggs from moving down the oviduct. This backup of unlaid eggs causes the hen’s abdomen to swell. Egg binding also prevents the hen from defecating since the cloaca entrance to the digestive tract remains sealed off during egg laying.
What Causes Egg Binding in Chickens?
There are several potential causes of a chicken becoming egg bound:
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Large or Misshapen Eggs – Oversized eggs or eggs that are an abnormal shape can easily become lodged in the oviduct.
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Old Age – Older hens tend to have weaker muscle tone that leads to eggs getting trapped.
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Obesity – Excess abdominal fat puts pressure on muscles needed for laying eggs.
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Nutritional Deficiencies – Lack of calcium or other key nutrients makes it hard for muscles to contract properly.
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Dehydration – Without proper hydration, the oviduct can dry out and hinder egg movement.
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Infection or Disease – Illnesses that cause oviduct swelling or muscle weakness.
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Stress – A stressed hen may tighten muscles and be unable to relax enough to lay the egg.
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Cold Weather – Colder temperatures can cause muscle stiffness and spasms in the oviduct.
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Genetics – Some chicken breeds are genetically prone to reproductive issues.
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Egg Laying Disruptions – Such as lack of nesting sites causing a hen to retain an egg.
Symptoms of an Egg Bound Chicken
Recognizing when a hen is egg bound is critical for getting her treatment as quickly as possible. Here are the most common signs of an egg bound chicken:
- Straining and abdominal pushing
- Swollen abdomen from backed up eggs
- Lack of egg laying
- Loss of appetite
- Sitting in nest boxes for long periods
- Standing in a hunched posture
- Walking stiffly or like a penguin
- Ruffled, unkempt feathers
- Pale comb and wattles
- Lethargy and weakness
- Tail pumping up and down
- Soft-shelled or shell-less eggs
- Frequent yet unproductive trips to nest box
- Blood or tissue discharge from vent
- Little to no feces
Dangers of Egg Binding in Chickens
Egg binding should be treated as an emergency condition for chickens. The longer a hen remains bound, the higher her risk of:
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Infection – From backed up eggs and feces.
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Internal laying – Egg breaks inside hen leading to infection.
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Shock – The hen’s system goes into distress from the blockages.
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Vent prolapse – The oviduct protrudes outside the vent.
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Egg yolk peritonitis – Infection of reproductive tract.
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Organ damage – From the pressure of backed up eggs.
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Death – Egg binding left untreated is often fatal.
Hens can die from egg binding within 24-48 hours without proper treatment. Quick action is needed to clear the blockage and restore the hen’s normal bodily functions.
Treating an Egg Bound Chicken
If you suspect a hen is egg bound, take the following steps:
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Isolate – Move her to a warm, quiet space away from flock.
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Hydrate – Provide water with electrolytes.
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Check for egg – Lubricate and gently insert finger in vent to feel for egg.
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Supplement calcium – Give crushed calcium supplements.
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Apply heat – Use a warm water bath or heating pad on abdomen.
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Massage abdomen – Gently work the area around the stuck egg.
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Lubricate vent – Use Vaseline to lubricate around vent.
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Increase contractions – Injecting oxytocin can stimulate oviduct muscles.
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Remove egg – As a last resort, collapse and remove shell, see vet.
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Treat infection – Use antibiotics if egg breaks inside or vent damaged.
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Check for prolapse – Monitor vent for swelling or protruding tissue.
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Let hen rest – After egg passes, let her fully recover before rejoining flock.
Preventing Egg Binding
You can lower the risk of egg binding through proper flock management:
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Provide a nutritionally balanced layer feed.
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Offer a free-choice calcium supplement.
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Use proper lighting schedules for pullets.
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Give hens regular outdoor exercise.
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Supply at least 1 nest box per 4 hens.
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Routinely check hens’ health and weight.
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Prevent parasites and infectious illness.
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Select breeds that are not prone to egg binding.
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Discourage obesity by limiting treats.
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Keep coop clean and reduce hen stress.
While egg binding can happen randomly, following best practices for raising chickens can help avoid an unsafe number of incidents in your flock. Act quickly at the first signs of an egg bound chicken to ensure the best outcome.
What Will You Need?
If you find a hen who you assume is egg bound, it is time to act quick. You will need:
- A tub or large bowl of warm water
- Towel
- Crate (to place her in after treatment to get her strength back)
- Vegetable oil
- Epsom salts
- Syringe
- Liquid calcium
- Flock Fixer
- Chicken E-lixir
What is an Egg Bound Hen?
This happens when the egg is literally stuck inside the chicken’s oviduct and she can’t get it out. This is usually due to a lack of calcium, too much protein, stress or dehydration. Young chickens as well as obese chickens are usually the victims. However, egg binding isn’t super common. It’s just good to know what to do if you find one of your hens in this situation.
If the egg is stuck, you can sometimes feel it on either side of her vent. The egg will block the chicken from being able to poop, which can lead to death if not taken care of. Typically, you have 24-48 hours to get a hen unbound. If you head out to the coop and notice her off on her own, acting lethargic, eyes closed and puffed up, you should take action. Other symptoms may include pale comb and wattles, tail slumped down, not eating or drinking, waddling, sitting on the ground and not getting up, straining her vent and drooping wings.
Egg Bound Hen – How to Help Egg Bound Chicken
FAQ
How to fix egg bound chicken?
To address an egg-bound chicken, prioritize creating a calm, stress-free environment and providing a warm bath with Epsom salts to relax the hen and soften the vent. Gently lubricating the vent area with a water-based lubricant can also help the egg pass.
Can a chicken survive being egg bound?
With proper care, an egg bound hen may be able to recover.Aug 22, 2023
How do you free an egg bound chicken?
If she is egg bound, you can start with warm epsom salt soaks for her by soaking for about 10 minutes, drying her either by towel or blow dryer on low setting, and keeping her in a quiet location by herself. This can be repeated a few times daily.
How long can a chicken live with egg peritonitis?
A chicken with egg peritonitis, also known as egg yolk peritonitis (EYP), can survive for varying lengths of time depending on the severity of the condition and the effectiveness of treatment. While some hens may recover with prompt treatment, including antibiotics and supportive care, others may succumb to the infection or complications.
What causes chicken egg binding?
For your reference, the following are some of the most common causes of chicken egg binding: Obesity: An overweight hen is more prone to becoming egg bound. Bear in mind that excessive fat deposits around the hen’s reproductive organs can make it difficult for her to lay her egg.
What is egg binding in chickens?
Egg binding in chickens is a health issue where an egg gets stuck inside the hen’s oviduct, typically between the uterus and the cloaca. This condition is common in premature, old, or obese hens. Generally speaking, “egg bound” symptoms in chickens are easily recognizable.
What does it mean if a chicken is ‘egg-bound’?
An ‘egg-bound’ chicken is a situation where an egg is stuck inside the chicken, and she is having difficulty passing it. This condition, also known as having a retained egg, occurs when the egg-laying process stops at the portion of her reproductive tract, instead of being passed out like usual.
Why are my chickens GG bound?
Some of the causes of egg binding that are easier to prevent include malnutrition and the age of your chickens. Simply put, older chickens tend to be more likely to become gg bound since they don’t lay as many eggs – the muscles are weakened and slack as they are more inactive, and they aren’t as good at passing eggs.
What causes a hen to become egg bound?
When it comes to nutrition, a hen whose diet is lacking in critical minerals, vitamins, and protein (including but not limited to calcium) is also more likely to become egg bound. Hens who are inactive or obese may also be at risk. Infections and illnesses can cause egg binding.
What happens if a hen binds eggs?
Egg binding can also lead to a number of other conditions. It can cause infections related to egg yolk peritonitis (which is an infection in the coelomic cavity of a hen) along with vent prolapse. This latter condition refers to when the vent begins to protrude out of the rear of the chicken.