6 Week Old Hen Looks Like A Big Ball

[evshro]

I apologize for my ignorance as my father-in-law and I are new to raising hens. Yesterday we noticed one under the nesting boxes just lieing there as if trying to lay an egg. She also appeared very lethargic, looks like a big ball, and seemingly has no more neck. Something appears to be wrong....but what? I checked on her after getting home from work and she was in front of the food dish and walking with the other hens. So she is acting better but looks the same. Any thoughts would be appreciated,

Many thanks,

rob

 

[CityClucks]

Did she have any eggs under her? Maybe she's broody (wanting to sit on eggs and hatch them)? Does she look like the picture in the first post of this thread?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=240663

 

[speckledhen]

Surely, you meant six months, not weeks, right? Not sure what the deal is with the hen. Your description is a bit confusing--do you mean her abdomen is swollen/fluid-filled?

 

[evshro]

I do mean 6 weeks old....they are closer to 7 now. Her body looks totally inflated like a balloon. It is to the point that she looks like she has no neck now. Like I said we are new to this and there may be a logical explanation.

 

[Nif]

At 6 weeks she would not be even close to laying eggs yet...this does not sound right. But I think we need a lot more info...please read the 2nd sticky post and answer all the questions on that post so we can better help you. Also, how does she feel? Pick up a normal looking bird, and then the puffy one and try and feel the body and describe what you feel on your next post. How do her eyes look? Is she eating? When you pick her up does she feel strong or listless? Take a look at her vent, and look her over really well. Does she have any injuries on the skin?

 

[chickenlittle32]

Can you please post pics ?

 

[speckledhen]

Sorry, I somehow read that she was in a nest box, as if trying to lay, which is why I thought you must have meant six months rather than weeks.
Is she bloated or do you mean she has puffed up her feathers and hunched her neck? Obviously, it can't be egg related at that age. That is the age you often see them have coccidiosis. Is the poop red and hamburgery-looking?

 

[chickenlittle32]

Quote:

Not hungry for a burger anymore....LOL

 

[evshro]

Thanks for all the responses! I am grateful for everyone's input and will attempt a picture. Upon another examination I can tell you that she does not feel bloated and the vent is free and clear (checked that yesterday). I am beginning to wonder if her leg is hurt. She is definitley puffing up her feathers for some reason. I have also seen her alone in the corner while the others roam the run. I can't comment on her poop and did not see her eat today. She was at the food yesterday though.

 

[speckledhen]

I know that it's treating blindly to give her anything, but that is the right age to show signs of cocci, and that stance is one of them. Too bad you didn't see her poop, though, because that would be more definitive.

Cocci is treated with Corid (liquid concentrated Amprolium) for 5-7 days in the water; the second choice is a Sulpha drug called Sulmet, also given in water, but not as easy on the system. Other than that, I dont know what else it could be. You'd have to treat the entire bunch of chicks and it won't hurt to do so.

If its cocci, they probably all have it (it's a protozoan found in the soil that can overwhelm their young systems), though she may be suffering more than the others at this point. Then again, it could be something completely different, peculiar to her.