13 Warning Signs Your Chicken is Egg Bound (And How to Save Her Life!)

Have you ever found one of your hens acting strange – maybe walking like a penguin or looking super uncomfortable? She might be egg bound, and this is serious business! Egg binding can kill your chicken within 24-48 hours if not treated quickly. As a backyard chicken keeper myself, I’ve dealt with this emergency situation more than once, and I’m here to share what I’ve learned.

What is Egg Binding in Chickens?

Egg binding happens when an egg gets stuck somewhere in your hen’s oviduct and she can’t lay it. The egg is often trapped between the uterus and cloaca, but sometimes it gets stuck near the vent.

This isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s potentially fatal! When a hen’s body prepares to lay an egg, her cloaca closes off the opening to her intestines so poop doesn’t contaminate the egg If she can’t pass that egg, she literally can’t poop A chicken that can’t eliminate waste can die within just 48 hours.

How to Tell if Your Chicken is Egg Bound: 13 Warning Signs

If you suspect one of your girls might be egg bound. look for these telltale symptoms

1. Penguin-like walk – She’ll walk with her legs wide apart and may appear stiff
2. Frequent squatting – She’ll stop frequently to squat and attempt to lay
3. Visible straining – You might notice abdominal straining as she tries to push out the egg
4. Decreased appetite – She may show little interest in food or water
5. Lethargy – She’ll appear unusually tired, depressed or inactive
6. Droopy, pale comb and wattles – Poor circulation can cause paleness
7. Swollen abdomen – Her lower abdomen might look distended
8. Tail bobbing – Her tail may move vigorously up and down as she tries to expel the egg
9. Sitting alone – She might separate herself from the flock
10. Labored breathing – You might notice wheezing or panting
11. Distressed vocalization – She may make unusual sounds indicating discomfort
12. No poop or diarrhea – Since she can’t eliminate properly
13. Visible egg – In some cases, you might actually see the egg at the vent

I remember my Barred Rock, Pepper, who became egg bound last summer The first thing I noticed was her sitting alone in the corner of the run while the other hens were busy dust bathing When I picked her up, her abdomen felt hard, and she kept doing this weird squatting motion. Classic egg binding signs!

What Causes Egg Binding?

Several factors can lead to egg binding:

• Calcium deficiency – Without enough calcium, a hen’s muscles can’t contract properly to push out the egg
• Large or oddly-shaped eggs – These can get stuck more easily
• Obesity – Fat hens often have more trouble laying
• Age – Young pullets who start laying too early or older hens with weakened muscles
• Stress – Hens who feel unsafe or don’t have proper nesting boxes
• Dehydration – Water is crucial for the egg-laying process
• Genetic factors – Some production breeds are more prone to it
• Cold weather – Extreme cold can cause muscles to stiffen
• Illness or infection – These can affect the reproductive system

How to Check if Your Chicken is Egg Bound

If you suspect egg binding, you’ll need to perform a quick check. This sounds scary, but it’s really not that bad:

1. Put on a latex glove and add some lubricating jelly or Vaseline to your index finger
2. Gently insert your finger into the hen’s vent (don’t go down, go straight back)
3. If there’s a stuck egg, you’ll usually feel it within the first 1-2 inches
4. If you don’t feel anything, she’s probably not egg bound

Emergency Treatment for an Egg Bound Chicken

Time is critical! Here’s what to do if your hen is egg bound:

1. Warm Bath Treatment

This is often the most effective first step:

1. Fill a sink or basin with warm water (about 75-80°F)
2. Add about a cup of Epsom salts
3. Place your hen in the water so her vent is submerged
4. Keep her there for 15-20 minutes (the warmth helps relax her muscles)
5. Gently dry her afterward
6. Apply more lubricant around her vent area

2. Supply Calcium

Give your hen some calcium right before the bath to help stimulate contractions:

• Crushed Tums tablets (break into small pieces)
• Calcium supplements (powdered or broken into small bits)
• Calcium concentrates mixed with water

3. Massage Technique

After the bath:

1. Apply lubricant to the vent area
2. Gently massage her abdomen, moving from front to back
3. Be VERY gentle – you don’t want to break the egg inside her!

4. Rest in a Quiet Space

1. Place her in a dark, quiet crate with food and water
2. Keep the area warm (60-65°F)
3. Let her rest and hopefully pass the egg on her own
4. You can repeat the bath/massage treatment every few hours

5. Last Resort: Manual Egg Removal

If nothing else works after several attempts, you may need to manually remove the egg:

1. If you can see the egg at the vent:
   • Lubricate the area generously
   • Use a syringe (no needle) to carefully puncture the egg and extract the contents
   • Gently collapse the shell and remove it in pieces
   • Be extremely careful not to cause internal cuts

This is definitely a last resort! I had to do this once with my Plymouth Rock hen, and while she survived, it was stressful for both of us.

What NOT to Do

• Don’t break the egg inside the hen without extracting the contents first
• Don’t use excessive force when checking for or trying to remove the egg
• Don’t return an egg bound hen to the flock until she’s fully recovered
• Don’t wait more than 24 hours to seek veterinary help if home treatments aren’t working

When to Call the Vet

If your home treatments don’t work within 24 hours, it’s time to call a vet. They can:

• Perform an X-ray to confirm egg binding
• Administer proper doses of calcium or hormonal injections
• Surgically remove the egg if necessary

Preventing Egg Binding in Your Flock

I’d rather prevent egg binding than treat it! Here are some tips:

Nutrition is Key

• Feed a high-quality layer feed formulated specifically for laying hens
• Provide free-choice calcium supplements (crushed oyster shells work great)
• Ensure access to clean, fresh water at all times
• Limit treats to maintain proper nutrition balance

Housing and Management

• Provide one nest box for every 4-5 hens
• Make sure nest boxes are dark, quiet, and private
• Don’t use artificial lighting to force young pullets to lay too early
• Protect your flock from predators and other stressors

Regular Health Checks

• Monitor your hens’ behaviors and egg production
• Check for parasites and treat promptly
• Keep an eye on older hens who may be more prone to binding

Recovery After Egg Binding

Once your hen passes the egg, she’ll need time to recover:

• Keep her separated until she’s eating, drinking, and pooping normally
• Watch for vent prolapse (when internal tissue protrudes from the vent)
• Monitor for signs of infection
• Be aware she may be more prone to egg binding in the future

My Experience with Egg Binding

Last year, my Buff Orpington, Sunny, became egg bound. I noticed her sitting in the corner of the coop, not interested in treats (which NEVER happens with her!). After the warm bath treatment, she passed a massive double-yolker egg. Now I make sure to always have calcium supplements available and keep a close eye on her.

Egg binding is scary, but knowing the signs and acting quickly can save your chicken’s life! I always keep supplies on hand – lubricant, Epsom salts, calcium supplements – just in case. Early detection is your best defense, so make daily observation of your flock a habit.

Have you ever dealt with an egg bound chicken? What symptoms did you notice first? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!

---

Disclaimer: I’m not a veterinarian, and this advice is based on personal experience and research. Always consult a licensed vet for serious chicken health issues.

An egg-bound chicken appears sick and sluggish, often walking with a “penguin” stance or dragging its rear, and may exhibit signs of pain like straining, a swollen abdomen, and a puffed-up posture. Key signs include the chicken not moving or eating, panting, having a bloated vent, and potentially a visibly protruding egg. Early detection is crucial as egg binding can be fatal within 48 hours.

To treat an egg-bound chicken, provide supportive care by isolating her in a warm, quiet space with plenty of water and electrolytes to reduce stress and improve hydration. Administer calcium to aid muscle contraction and may use moist heat from a warm bath or steamy room to relax muscles. If the hen doesn’t improve, a veterinarian can provide calcium and oxytocin injections or, as a last resort, perform surgery or manually remove the egg.

An egg-bound chicken can die within 24 to 48 hours because the trapped egg causes a life-threatening emergency. The condition is fatal if the egg isn’t passed because it can lead to shock, infection, or the inability to defecate, causing toxicity.

An egg-bound chicken acts lethargic, moves with a “penguin-like” waddle, strains repeatedly, and may isolate herself. Other signs include a swollen abdomen, drooping wings and tail, reduced appetite, and potentially blueish comb.