6 yr old hen swollen red belly, penguin walk

[basement chick]

I think I know this is egg yolk peritonitis and she is bad, but guess I need to hear opinions. She has been this way for months. She gets listless and stops eating and I give her antibiotics which perks her up again but the swelling is now so bad she can barely walk. I've treated her 3 times with antibiotics. She actually laid a couple eggs after the first treatment but none since. She never did lay a lot of eggs. She still eats and drinks and has small but normal droppings. I am down to my last 2 chickens. At her age how much can she take? She is a feisty girl. Could it be anything else that could be cured? Thank you

 

[Lady of McCamley]

That question would have to be answered by a vet examining her, if you can find one who treats chickens. However...

My opinion, from what you've explained, is that she is very bad with peritonitis and ascites due to a deep internal infection, and that at her age, there is little hope. I'm sorry, but at this stage and age that is the usual outcome. She likely has ovarian cancer, or something.

It honestly may be kinder to put her out of her misery.

When the time is right (and I think it is soon, but you will have to decide that), I can recommend the CO2 method with dry ice. It's bloodless, quick and painless for the bird, and recommended kill method by the American Veterinarian Association (my daughter used to be a vet tech).

Get a 5 gallon bucket with lid (like at Home Depot or cat litter bucket). Get about 1/2 lb of dry ice (from your local grocer...I get mine at Kroegers...it's pennies cheap... whole thing should be about $2). Put dry ice at bottom of bucket. Pour warm water. Place lid, with a small side of lid vented. Let BIG cloud form (key to success and instant kill). You can put a plastic coffee lid or something on the dry ice as a kindness so the bird doesn't rest on it. Place bird in bucket. Close lid, again with a small side vented. You will hear a quick gasp. The bird will be rendered immediately unconscious (same as the CO2 drop systems in office buildings...a gasp and you're out). You will hear fluttering for about 30 to 45 seconds, then silence. The bird asphyxiates while unconscious during that time. The body may jerk a time or two afterward, but the bird is well dead. (You can check eye pupil response.) To be safe, I wait at least 3 to 5 minutes.

It's how I kill my sweethearts when it is time and I want a gentle out.

Hopefully I'm wrong...but those symptoms, to me, don't sound good.

LofMc

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I think I know this is egg yolk peritonitis and she is bad, but guess I need to hear opinions. She has been this way for months. She gets listless and stops eating and I give her antibiotics which perks her up again but the swelling is now so bad she can barely walk. I've treated her 3 times with antibiotics. She actually laid a couple eggs after the first treatment but none since. She never did lay a lot of eggs. She still eats and drinks and has small but normal droppings. I am down to my last 2 chickens. At her age how much can she take? She is a feisty girl. Could it be anything else that could be cured? Thank you

Is her abdomen hard or feels like fluid?

Likely EYP, cancer or some reproductive disorder is the cause of fluid (if there's fluid). Draining may buy her a few more weeks or months if that's something you want to consider doing. It's not a cure by any means, but a measure of supportive care that some folks extend to their hens. Draining does have it's risks like causing infection from the needle stick or draining too much fluid too fast (causing cardiac arrest) are a couple of things that could happen, so you will want to consider those too.

Aloe Detox is another method some folks use. Again, it's a supportive care measure and sometimes can manage fluid for a good while. @coach723 gives details in this POST.

I'm very sorry about your hen. It really stinks to watch them with reproductive problems. When I have one that is in a slow decline, I access them daily for indications that it's time to let them go.

 

[basement chick]

That question would have to be answered by a vet examining her, if you can find one who treats chickens. However...

My opinion, from what you've explained, is that she is very bad with peritonitis and ascites due to a deep internal infection, and that at her age, there is little hope. I'm sorry, but at this stage and age that is the usual outcome. She likely has ovarian cancer, or something.

It honestly may be kinder to put her out of her misery.

When the time is right (and I think it is soon, but you will have to decide that), I can recommend the CO2 method with dry ice. It's bloodless, quick and painless for the bird, and recommended kill method by the American Veterinarian Association (my daughter used to be a vet tech).

Get a 5 gallon bucket with lid (like at Home Depot or cat litter bucket). Get about 1/2 lb of dry ice (from your local grocer...I get mine at Kroegers...it's pennies cheap... whole thing should be about $2). Put dry ice at bottom of bucket. Pour warm water. Place lid, with a small side of lid vented. Let BIG cloud form (key to success and instant kill). You can put a plastic coffee lid or something on the dry ice as a kindness so the bird doesn't rest on it. Place bird in bucket. Close lid, again with a small side vented. You will hear a quick gasp. The bird will be rendered immediately unconscious (same as the CO2 drop systems in office buildings...a gasp and you're out). You will hear fluttering for about 30 to 45 seconds, then silence. The bird asphyxiates while unconscious during that time. The body may jerk a time or two afterward, but the bird is well dead. (You can check eye pupil response.) To be safe, I wait at least 3 to 5 minutes.

It's how I kill my sweethearts when it is time and I want a gentle out.

Hopefully I'm wrong...but those symptoms, t

Is her abdomen hard or feels like fluid?

Likely EYP, cancer or some reproductive disorder is the cause of fluid (if there's fluid). Draining may buy her a few more weeks or months if that's something you want to consider doing. It's not a cure by any means, but a measure of supportive care that some folks extend to their hens. Draining does have it's risks like causing infection from the needle stick or draining too much fluid too fast (causing cardiac arrest) are a couple of things that could happen, so you will want to consider those too.

Aloe Detox is another method some folks use. Again, it's a supportive care measure and sometimes can manage fluid for a good while. @coach723 gives details in this POST.

I'm very sorry about your hen. It really stinks to watch them with reproductive problems. When I have one that is in a slow decline, I access them daily for indications that it's time to let them go.

Thank you

 

[basement chick]

Thank you

 

[basement chick]

Is her abdomen hard or feels like fluid?

Likely EYP, cancer or some reproductive disorder is the cause of fluid (if there's fluid). Draining may buy her a few more weeks or months if that's something you want to consider doing. It's not a cure by any means, but a measure of supportive care that some folks extend to their hens. Draining does have it's risks like causing infection from the needle stick or draining too much fluid too fast (causing cardiac arrest) are a couple of things that could happen, so you will want to consider those too.

Aloe Detox is another method some folks use. Again, it's a supportive care measure and sometimes can manage fluid for a good while. @coach723 gives details in this POST.

I'm very sorry about your hen. It really stinks to watch them with reproductive problems. When I have one that is in a slow decline, I access them daily for indications that it's time to let them go.

Thank you

 

[basement chick]

She

Is her abdomen hard or feels like fluid?

Likely EYP, cancer or some reproductive disorder is the cause of fluid (if there's fluid). Draining may buy her a few more weeks or months if that's something you want to consider doing. It's not a cure by any means, but a measure of supportive care that some folks extend to their hens. Draining does have it's risks like causing infection from the needle stick or draining too much fluid too fast (causing cardiac arrest) are a couple of things that could happen, so you will want to consider those too.

Aloe Detox is another method some folks use. Again, it's a supportive care measure and sometimes can manage fluid for a good while. @coach723 gives details in this POST.

I'm very sorry about your hen. It really stinks to watch them with reproductive problems. When I have one that is in a slow decline, I access them daily for indications that it's time to let them go.

Her belly is fairly hard. She is really fast and nervous. I only have 2 chickens so I check on her several times a day. I usually let my chickens out in the yard every night too. I've never had a chicken stay so active and healthy looking this long with this problem. This started last summer. She is just beautiful except for the belly. Bright red comb. Shiny feathers.Eating. Running. Do you think aspirin water might give her any relief? I would like to give her a warm bath but she is very hard to catch and hold and I don't want to stress her too much right now either. This is one I've never been able to pick up. She is small and fast! I have a couple vets around I can take her to who will try to help. They aren't specifically avian vets but one does see chickens regularly. My experience has been bad with taking chickens to the vet. One died at the vet. One was an avian vet a long time ago and the chicken was euthanized. Another avian vet tried to help 2 chickens but found nothing wrong and the chickens died anyway. I've had more success on my own with help from this forum and common sense but obviously I am not cut out for chickens because I get too upset when they suffer for long. I'm going to have one chicken alone and she may end up inside because I refuse to get more! Thank you all for your help!

 

[coach723]

A very hard belly can be an indication of internal laying, or of infectious material building up, like from salpingitis. An ultrasound might answer that, but understand if you don't want the expense of it. Regardless, treatment options would be limited at best, it might give you an answer, but wouldn't likely make a difference to the outcome. A necropsy when she passes would also give you answers. Sometimes that can bring peace of mind. I wouldn't bathe her, since she's already having issues it could just add stress and maybe put her over the edge. Honestly, when I have a bird like this I just leave them be until they are obviously not feeling good, go off food & water, isolate themselves, then I euthanize. If euthanasia is not comfortable for you, then your vet would likely be willing to do that for you. So sorry.

 

[basement chick]

A very hard belly can be an indication of internal laying, or of infectious material building up, like from salpingitis. An ultrasound might answer that, but understand if you don't want the expense of it. Regardless, treatment options would be limited at best, it might give you an answer, but wouldn't likely make a difference to the outcome. A necropsy when she passes would also give you answers. Sometimes that can bring peace of mind. I wouldn't bathe her, since she's already having issues it could just add stress and maybe put her over the edge. Honestly, when I have a bird like this I just leave them be until they are obviously not feeling good, go off food & water, isolate themselves, then I euthanize. If euthanasia is not comfortable for you, then your vet would likely be willing to do that for you. So sorry.

Thank you. I actually did give her a warm soak just now and she seemed to really relax. I feel the same way as you. If she's eating, drinking and basically being a chicken then let her be. And with just 2 left, I will keep them together as long as she wants to be with her friend and live. There is no stress of her being picked on with just these 2. Having the one left alone is going to be a problem too I think. So I have to consider both lives for now.

 

[basement chick]

Is her abdomen hard or feels like fluid?

Likely EYP, cancer or some reproductive disorder is the cause of fluid (if there's fluid). Draining may buy her a few more weeks or months if that's something you want to consider doing. It's not a cure by any means, but a measure of supportive care that some folks extend to their hens. Draining does have it's risks like causing infection from the needle stick or draining too much fluid too fast (causing cardiac arrest) are a couple of things that could happen, so you will want to consider those too.

Aloe Detox is another method some folks use. Again, it's a supportive care measure and sometimes can manage fluid for a good while. @coach723 gives details in this POST.

I'm very sorry about your hen. It really stinks to watch them with reproductive problems. When I have one that is in a slow decline, I access them daily for indications that it's time to let them go.

I've watched the video on how to drain fluid. I feel my hen would benefit from this if I can do it. My question is, what if the fluid is not yellow and/or has blood in it? Do I stop or try to continue to relieve some pressure even if it is bloody? Also would this be better done close to evening so they go to roost after and aren't walking around potentially getting the area dirty and give the puncture site time to heal?