Egg bound yearling

Just done something I havent done before a few days ago I noticed a hen failed to lay dispite being in the bowl trying, today she was on the loft floor looking really sick. On inspection she had an egg stuck and was unable to pass it.

I consulted my "Keep your pigeons flying" book by Dr whitney who is my gospel on pigeons and I knew the answer would be in there. However the explaination was there but was very short and sweet not what I was looking for as it seemed complicated and a job for the vet.
Tonight with the fear of loosing a good bird that raced well last year for me, I bit the bullet and did what he said in the book to the letter.

To my surprise it wasnt that bad, just the thought of it was the worst thing, I located the egg just, and with a siringe with a needle on it I pierced the egg, then removed the needle and pushed the siringe into the egg., then sucked out the contents.
Then I gently broke the egg with my forefinger and thumb and applied some oil, then gently with my finger removed the egg, and the hen helped a little too at that stage.

Quite proud of myself as when I have asked other fanciers about this they simply left them too it, and it seemed it was either passed or the bird was dead in a few days.
Just goes to show the old books of the past were the best and short and sweet now seems the best way not too much info as to confuse but Dr Whitney was spot on...hope this usefull info helps someone eles do the same...thanks doc .

one shringe full of caster oil down its throat would have moved it also soake the bird in warm water works a treat