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Severity 4/5metabolic

Egg Binding

An egg gets stuck inside the hen. She strains, walks upright like a penguin, and stops eating. Untreated egg binding past 24 hours is often fatal.

AI illustration of Egg Binding
AI illustration of Egg Binding

Mix of AI illustrations and anonymized real cases shared by community keepers. Visual severity varies by bird, age, and stage.

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Symptoms

  • Straining to lay
  • Tail pumping
  • Walking penguin like
  • Lethargic / not moving
  • Not eating
  • Pale comb

Treatment

Soak the hen in a warm Epsom salt bath for 20 minutes. Dry, then warm her in a quiet box. Lubricate the vent with KY jelly or vegetable oil. Give a calcium boost (crushed Tums or liquid calcium). If she has not laid in 6 hours, call a vet.

Prevention

Feed a balanced layer ration with oyster shell free choice. Avoid sudden lighting changes that trigger early or oversized eggs. Manage weight, obesity is a major risk factor.

Sources