Treat egg binding with warmth, calcium, and lubrication

Place the egg-bound hen in a warm Epsom salt bath (100-102°F) for 20-30 minutes to relax the oviduct muscles. Gently lubricate the vent area with KY jelly or olive oil. Administer liquid calcium (calcium gluconate or crushed Tums dissolved in water) orally, then place her in a warm, dark, quiet space to rest.

Why It Works

Egg binding occurs when an egg gets stuck in the oviduct, often due to calcium deficiency, oversized eggs, or obesity. The warm bath relaxes smooth muscle tissue, lubrication reduces friction, and calcium supports the muscle contractions needed to expel the egg. Darkness and quiet reduce stress hormones that inhibit laying.

Tips

• This is an emergency — if the egg does not pass within 4-6 hours, seek veterinary help; egg binding can be fatal
• Never attempt to manually crush or extract the egg — a broken egg inside the hen causes peritonitis
• Prevent by ensuring constant access to oyster shell (free-choice calcium) and avoiding obesity in hens