Egg Bound Syndrome

Hello: Would you technical folks please bend a little to back yard flock owners. You are all about commercial stuff here, and believe me, there are a growing number of us raising chicken flocks as PETS for egg consumption second, and would never kill their PETS for food. I am dismayed at the absence of articles by those who have the technical knowledge, and could share with us some helpful information. I have seen the devastating effects of EYP (egg yolk peritonitis) and egg binding, Mareks, & Mycoplasma. I struggle to ferret out any bit of information I can find. Please may we have some comments from the good scientists with help in the way of prevention and treatment in these areas. I have access to a state lab, but avian vets are few and far between. Appreciatively submitted by Deb Bino, Pennsylvania (USA), flock master of 4 coops, 7 chicks, 3 roosters, 19 assorted breed hens, and 3 in-house special needs hens in diapers.

Debra - I have an egg bound hen - she was from an industrial barn - we got her the 1st week of Oct (she was almost dead) and now its the 2nd week of Jan. She has never passed the egg. I have been giving her 1 capsule of STANDARDIZED Olive Leaf mixed in a small amount of food moistened with water so it sticks to the food And after she eats that she gets pure food grade Diatomaceous Earth( THE PURE FORM - NOT FROM FEEDSTORE) - a handful of food and tablespoon of earth moistened with water. After that has been eaten, she gets high calorie/high calcium/prebiotic pellets free choice. And remember FRESH water, food in water or stale water will develop bacteria.(her system already has enough of that in it) As long as she is showing any signs of bloating she gets this. If I stop giving it to her, when the bloat reduces but not gone, all the signs and symptoms come back. I think it is helping to keep the bacteria under control/balanced so her system is at least able to fight it. When we first got her I also mixed a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water to detox/cleanse her system- she got was given that for the 1st month.

Debra - I forgot to mention - she is given that every morning - Am is when they are most eager to eat, so she eats it all, before her free choice pellets.

Author/s : Dr. S. F. Nipane and Dr. J. S. Kumare (Suman Hatcheries Ltd) ----- I have a hen that I have been keeping alive and her swelling reduced ( at times her swelling seems to completely reduce) x-ray did show a fully formed egg. She has survived for 4 months now. Ands she has NEVER released any eggs. Although she does still attempt to lay an egg every AM. I have been giving her olive leaf -75 mg (20% oleuropein) and a pure form of diatomaceous earth ( 1 tablespoon) daily. She has also been getting the high calorie, high calcium, prebiotic feed. And I have also noticed she needs to be kept at a room temp of 68 degrees or more ( low temps seem to cause the bloat to increase) She is active, curious and eats very well. Her stools are normal colored and formed. But her symptoms return when I stop giving this to her,.Runny stools will reoccur with blood streaked in the white areas of the fecal matter.( which I am guessing its coming from her kidneys, possibly from the pressure?) And she will breathe harder then normal ( possibly from the pressure ?) I am very curious about why this remedy is working for her. Your education and opinion, is greatly appreciated.

I forgot to mention the odor of her stools also reduces when given the olive leaf.

Good article. Thank you.

I found your information very helpful. Sadly, I think my young son's hen may be egg bound. When I read under Prevention: "Providing the correct environmental conditions (i.e. temperature 85-900F and humidity 60%)." 900F, hu? Really! :) I had a good laugh! Thank you!