Egg Bound Syndrome in Poultry

Egg Bound Syndrome in Poultry

Aditya Sharma¹, Sheikh Uzma Farooq², Durgesh Kumar Mishra³

¹Department of Veterinary Pathology, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, Punjab, India

^2,3Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, Khalsa College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Amritsar, Punjab, India

Egg binding occurs when the egg does not pass through the reproductive system at a normal rate. Egg bound occurs when there is difficulty in laying of egg because of inflammation of the oviduct or partial paralysis of the muscles of the oviduct .This is common and often preventable problem in broiler breeders that are not exposed to a mating, since eggs may be formed and laid without the presence of a male. If this condition goes on for too long, complications and death, especially in underweight may be observed. It is a life threatening condition.

There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of egg binding.

1. Species: Egg binding is more Commercial Layers and broiler Breeder Layers.
   2. Age: Young birds laying for the first time, as well as “old” birds are more prone  to the condition of the egg bound.
   3. Reproductive health: Hens with reproductive problems or those that have a laying malformed or soft-shelled egg are more prone to egg binding.
   4. Malnutrition: Birds having diets those with deficiencies in calcium, vitamin A, protein, vitamin E, or selenium are at higher risk.
   5. Overall health: Egg binding is more common in birds with over weight problems such as obesity as well as those under stress from environmental conditions
   6. Egg abnormalities: An overly large or malformed egg, or one that is not positioned correctly, is broken, or joined to other eggs.
   7. Genetics: Certain lines of birds may be genetically predisposed to egg binding.

   Diagnosis:
   The veterinarian makes the diagnosis based on the clinical signs, history and physical examination If the bird is much stressed or in shock, it is necessary to stabilize her before proceeding with extensive examinations.

   Treatment:
   The treatment depends on the condition of the bird, severity of the signs, where the egg is located, and the length of time the bird has been egg bound.

• Elevation of the humidity to 60% and increasing the environmental temperature to 85-90°F is found to have good effect on the condition of the bird
  • Liquid calcium, and possibly vitamins A, D3, and E, and selenium through drinking water should be provided.
  •Administration of electrolyte through drinking water.
  • Provide the bird with continued access to food and water
  • Provide bird with high-calorie, high-calcium diet to help strengthen future eggs.

  Complications:
  
  If left untreated, egg binding can result in shock and death, often within hours. In addition, other complications are more likely to occur including:

  • The retained egg may place pressure on the kidneys, affecting their function and health.
  • If the egg ruptures while still inside of the bird, life-threatening peritonitis (a serious inflammation of the abdominal cavity) can occur.
  • Constant straining may cause prolapse of the reproductive tract or cloaca. This can result in egg peritonitis, infection, or scarring that could result in further problems.

  Prevention:
  
  The risk of egg binding may be decreased by:

  •Providing the nutritional balance diet.
  • Using proper breeding techniques including timing Insemination.
  • Removing genetically predisposed birds from the breeding flocks.
  • Providing the correct environmental conditions (i.e. temperature 85-900F and humidity 60%).
  • Preventing excessive light or light intensity in peak production so that to try to avoid double yolk eggs (jumbo eggs).
  • Preventing obesity.

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