Egg binding

In farming, aviculture and animal husbandry, the term egg binding refers to a medical condition in birds or other egg-laying animals, where the female is unable to pass an egg that has formed.

The egg may be stuck near the cloaca, or further inside. Egg binding is a reasonably common, and potentially serious, condition that can lead to infection or damage to internal tissue. The bound egg may be gently massaged out; failing this it may become necessary to break the egg in situ and remove it in parts. If broken, the oviduct should be cleaned of shell fragments and egg residue to avoid damage or infection.