3 year old hen has huge swollen belly for 6 months??? still laying eggs though.

[dobey66]

I have a aracana hen that is around 3 years old. She has had a huge swollen belly for 5-6 months. Almost like it is filled with fluid. she has a hard time walking and is really waddling. Frankly I am surprised she is still alive all these months. I believe she is still laying eggs so she is not egg bound. What could this be? cancer?

 

[Nupe]

If you're talking about the crop, sounds like sour crop. Never dealt with it myself but I believe it is a fungal infection.

 

[Eggcessive]

She could have ascites, or fluid in the belly which can be due to heart failure, or liver failure, which may be due to fatty liver hemorrhagic disease or egg yolk to peritonitis. A vet or even you could try to remove some fluid from the lower abdomen with an 18 gauge needle. This is done periodically for ascites to relieve pressure and pain, and to ease breathing. A vet may be of help in diagnosing her illness. From reading about fatty liver disease and egg peritonitis, there is usually a big decrease in laying eggs.