3 year old EE hen, watery jiggly round mass near back end

[Kaesi2020]

My 3 year old EE hen has been eating and drinking normally but walking oddly. She walks like she is carrying a heavy load, lower to the ground and with her butt kind of down. Her crop feels normal to me. I took pictures of her vent. I felt a large round watery/jiggly lump in the area of the photo that is circled in blue. If anyone can help me, I am worried it is water belly or something fatal like that. She has not laid recently. Picking her up, she feels heavier than usual.

Pics and video below

 

[Tookie]

She most likely does have water belly, sadly.
How long ago was her last egg?

 

[Kaesi2020]

She most likely does have water belly, sadly.
How long ago was her last egg?

Unfortunately I cannot remember, sometime in the last two weeks I think because we still have a couple of her eggs.

Can I drain the water to prolong her life? I watched a few videos on that last night...

Thank you

 

[Tookie]

Unfortunately I cannot remember, sometime in the last two weeks I think because we still have a couple of her eggs.

So not too long ago...

Can I drain the water to prolong her life? I watched a few videos on that last night...

Yes, you can drain. Although there is risk of infection.

I'll tag some experts and see what they say... @azygous @Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive

 

[azygous]

There are two different kinds of swelling in a hen. One type is very common. It's just below the vent and is just behind the legs. This is most commonly from excess fat and not immediately concerning. This can also be from infection in the reproductive tract, and/or in connection to a stuck egg.

The other type of swelling is located in front of and between the legs. This is from accumulated fluid in the abdomen from liver disease. This is a terminal condition, although it doesn't kill immediately. Time and comfort can be gained by draining, but it has serious risks. I admit I have had terrible luck draining ascites hens. Draining doesn't cure anything, only buying a little time, and it's perfectly okay to choose not to risk draining.

I suggest treating for egg binding as the first step, if the swelling is behind the legs and below the vent. Give one calcium tablet 600mg minimum directly into the beak. If she has a stuck egg, the calcium can help her push it out.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'd work on hydration and keep her eating. Give her extra calcium for a few days as well.
You can find Calcium Citrate with D3 in the vitamin aisle of stores like Walmart, CVS, etc. Give 1 tablet daily, just pull down on her wattles, pop the tablet into the beak and let her swallow.

See that she has no lice/mites.

IF she has the symptom of fluid in the belly (Ascites), sometimes draining the fluid can give a hen some relief if they are really struggling. Draining fluid does not cure the underlying condition that is causing the fluid to accumulate - it's a supportive care measure. There are risks to draining fluid such as introducing bacteria or even draining too much fluid at one time sending a weak bird into shock or heart failure.
Weigh the risks and decide. Many people do drain and their hens do very well.
Fluid can be due to reproductive disorders and/or organ dysfunction, hard to know which unless you lose her and there's further investigation.

Alternative methods such as giving a detox can be tried to see if it makes a difference.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...le-to-move-now-laid-egg.1446105/post-24045478

 

[Kaesi2020]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and replies. She laid an egg this morning- this is a good sign, right? It appears to be normal size and shape.

Will give calcium this evening and monitor closely. I will update here.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Does it feel like there's something in the mass, like organs? If so, it could be a hernia.

 

[Tookie]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and replies. She laid an egg this morning- this is a good sign, right? It appears to be normal size and shape.

Will give calcium this evening and monitor closely. I will update here.

Great that she laid an egg!

 

[azygous]

Now that she's passed the egg, observe her behavior to see if she bounces back to normal. It's possible a second egg is close behind this one. Two back to back eggs often is the cause for egg binding.

If she's still lethargic and squatting or standing weird, it's further evidence of a second egg.

You didn't answer my question about her swelling. Please do so. It will point us in the right direction to help you.