Another beautiful day in Northern California and spent a lot of time outside with the girls. All was well with the girls until about 4:30pm when Mabel went back into the coop, squatted down and began to make a weird noise. She looked like she was trying to poop....or lay an egg, but was having trouble. This would be her first egg. Barbara was staying near her, laying down next to her maybe playing mid-wife or delivery coach.
Went to our chicken wrangling resource books regarding a hen who may be egg bound, or with an egg stuck sideways, so to speak. And yes folks, I had to glove up and explore her vent ( hiney region). As an RN, I lost the toss. Really did not know what ai was supposed to feel, but was afraid to pursue this too far, an perhaps beak the egg or hurt my girl, both unacceptable.
Decided on plan B and brought her in and submerged her back end in semi-hot water in the sink, as per instructed in our chicken health book, for 20 minutes. She actually fell asleep during the dunking, in her Daddy's arms, with her little eyes closed while Mommy gently bathed her nether regions with hotish water.
We then dried her off and placed her back in the nest area. We will check her in two hours, then repeat. If no luck she will have to to see The Country Vet in the morning. BUT we are hopeful she will lay her first little blue egg tonight, and be OK. She is such a precious little thing. She was perfectly fine all day, eating, scratching around and chortling. I'm worried.
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