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

 

[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

 

[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.

 

[azygous]

A swelling with water balloon consistency just behind the legs and under the vent can be from EYP, a very serious reproductive infection. But usually, the hen will act sick, not normal.

Ascites will be a similar water balloon consistency but is in front of and between the legs, and you will usually see a waddling gait and the legs will be pushed apart by ten inches. The treatment for EYP is a strong antibiotic, while no cure exists for ascites other than draining to impart more comfort during the months the chicken has left to live.

It's a very good sign this hen is acting normally after passing her egg. Continue the calcium for one more day to be sure.

If you determine its fat below her vent, fat in that area can eventually lead to fatty liver disease so if you can reduce her weight, she will live longer.

 

[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

 

[Kaesi2020]

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

Her behavior since laying the egg this morning seems pretty normal. Eating, drinking, walking, alert. When I feel back where the swelling was last night (in the back and to the right of her vent, behind the leg) I don't feel it to be like a water balloon in just one spot anymore. Could her whole back under area below the vent and between the back legs be squishy due to being overweight? Could that one area have seemed particular water baloony due to the egg formulating? It feels similar in my other hens too, just more pronounced in the gray EE. I'm starting to wonder if her waddling is also due to a weight issue.

Thank you.

 

[Tookie]

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

 

[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.

 

[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!