Egg bound????

My female began laying her eggs today 7 days after her shed. I am not sure wether to be happy or sad as All the eggs look viable but very malformed shells. Also 2 abnormally small eggs The size of gobstoppers but still viable.

Now She has been stuck on the same egg for 5 hours????? I can see it is really big and causing a huge swell near the cloaca

The end is sticking out a bit and has been for 5 hours???? should I pop it????

I would say no. If it's partially out, leave her alone and let her do it on her own. 5 hours is NOTHING.

Those eggs look fine to me. I've had much worse articles hatch successfully. What you're seeing is just an uneven deposition of calcium for the shell (I think). They also look like a pretty standard size.

Some of the ones with transparent "windows" can be fascinating, as you'll be able to see the embyros develop (hopefully).

I'd have to say that 5 hours on one egg would make me worry. That bulge does make it look like there's a much larger egg lodged near the cloaca. This has caused eggbinding in a couple of my females over the years. Sometimes they form an egg that's just so big there's no chance of passing it naturally.

I'd be wary of just popping it, as if the egg contents leak internally there's a risk of infection setting in and killing her (had this happen to one of mine). My best advice would be to get to a vet and have him/her suck out the egg contents (aspirate) with a hypodermic inserted through the cloaca. This will allow the egg to collapse and be passed easily, whilst minimising the risk of internal leaks.

Thanks for the Info Bitsy.
I am very concerned here. It is the next day now and I took the afternoon off of work. She as still not passed the last egg tho.

I know she is capable of passing the egg because last year all her eggs were twice the size and the most beautiful perfect eggs I have seen. Heres a pic of the same girl last season.

So what are the chances that these were the bad eggs she pushed out first and will wait a few days before laying the rest. And would it really be that close to her tail for 24 hours?

Heres a size comparison this year

I'd say with the bulge that pronounced and that near the cloaca for so long, she's definitely eggbound and needs help. Can you see her straining and pushing at intervals?

Damm, it is now 2 days later. i have the appointment booked for saturday and will be grabbing a hopper or fuzzy today and seeing if that helps.

I have gotten her to drink for me but she is exhausted for sure.

Sounds like the vet is the best thing for her - good luck and let us know how it goes. When you know a female well enough to know that she's run out of steam, it's pretty scary. Fingers crossed for you.

I wouldn't try to feed her before the vet visit. You don't want a regurge on your hands to add to the trouble.