Distended belly, not egg bound - please help!

[kmb383]

Daisy is a 2 year old Polish. She has been symptom-free until today. Yesterday, she was free-ranging normally and went to bed on the roost with her sisters + their roo. This morning, I let them out of the coop and, as always, everyone came running, including Daisy. I didn't notice anything wrong with her in the morning. A couple hours later, I found her sitting and not active like she usually is. I've brought her in the house and placed her in the sick chick cage. She drank a little water at first but has not taken anything since. Her lower abdomen is distended. I gently inserted a lubed finger and did not feel any bound eggs in her. She has yellowish diarrhea near her vent. Any ideas? She is a treasured pet and I would really appreciate any advice. Unfortunately, there are no chicken vets or any vets with avian experience in my area.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

It is called 'balloon belly' If you feel around the craw upper area of the hen it will feel a bit like a water balloon. I don't know a cure for that off hand. Their food builds and builds until there is a rupture. I had to put down a beautifully colored FBCM hen because of that. It was sad, she had beautiful coloring for the breed. However, I knew she would no longer lay an egg and just suffer.

 

[Don Alejo]

Daisy is a 2 year old Polish. She has been symptom-free until today. Yesterday, she was free-ranging normally and went to bed on the roost with her sisters + their roo. This morning, I let them out of the coop and, as always, everyone came running, including Daisy. I didn't notice anything wrong with her in the morning. A couple hours later, I found her sitting and not active like she usually is. I've brought her in the house and placed her in the sick chick cage. She drank a little water at first but has not taken anything since. Her lower abdomen is distended. I gently inserted a lubed finger and did not feel any bound eggs in her. She has yellowish diarrhea near her vent. Any ideas? She is a treasured pet and I would really appreciate any advice. Unfortunately, there are no chicken vets or any vets with avian experience in my area.

I have what sounds like a very similar situation in a one y/o "red star", she is kind of dragging her abdomen but will eat and drink if I hold her, and otherwise does not seem in pain, but how do I know? I have read the euthanasia posts "just in case" but hate to face this in this trusting pet. I will follow your posts and the replies hoping for a better answer to her problem.

 

[Don Alejo]

It is called 'balloon belly' If you feel around the craw upper area of the hen it will feel a bit like a water balloon. I don't know a cure for that off hand. Their food builds and builds until there is a rupture. I had to put down a beautifully colored FBCM hen because of that. It was sad, she had beautiful coloring for the breed. However, I knew she would no longer lay an egg and just suffer.

Thank you! It may be strange but in my previous post I said I fed her but did not say I mixed in a mild laxative in the soft food she was able to eat. I will post if this seems to be helpful to her.

 

[kmb383]

Do you think I should give her a laxative? What kind and how much? The idea of dehydration concerns me since she hasn't drank anything recently and has diarrhea. Diagnosing + treating chickens is so difficult!

 

[Cluckcluck1215]

I'm not sure what could be wrong with your hen.

But she needs water.Take water in a syringe and dribble it on her beak.
I really hope this helps.
Best of luck!

 

[kmb383]

Just researched balloon belly/internal laying. What causes this? Is there anyway to stop it? Most of the posts I read said you can drain the belly regularly to prolong the lifespan, but they will die of it eventually.

 

[RoosterCogburn7]

Do you think I should give her a laxative? What kind and how much? The idea of dehydration concerns me since she hasn't drank anything recently and has diarrhea. Diagnosing + treating chickens is so difficult!

A laxative has nothing to do with the craw where the defect develops, and may cause more distress.

 

[Don Alejo]

Do you think I should give her a laxative? What kind and how much? The idea of dehydration concerns me since she hasn't drank anything recently and has diarrhea. Diagnosing + treating chickens is so difficult!

Yes but when Henrietta comes to me to be picked up and petted and, seemingly out of trust, does not fight when I "examine" her, It all seems worth it. The harder if I have to put her down if this continues.

 

[Don Alejo]

A laxative has nothing to do with the craw where the defect develops, and may cause more distress.

Thanks, in desperation I guess I will/have tried all I can think of or read.