This girl has been larger/heavier than the others since she was 4 months old. I just picked her up immediately after holding my other BA and realized she weighs almost twice as much and has a large, swollen abdomen.
Almost everyone has started laying in the past week but I've yet to catch her in the nest box - and am now concerned I need to drain her abdomen. Fortunately I'm a graduate student in chemistry and have access to everything I need - just need the information. Where do I insert the needle? Should I isolate her or leave her with the flock? She seems fine other than having the huge belly.
As per the list:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) Black Australorp, 6 mos, much heavier than all other birds
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Fluid-filled swollen abdomen.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Unknown. Has been larger/heavier than others for 2 months. Just noticed swelling.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Coming into lay?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Observed her free ranging today with normal appetite. Not around for usual breakfast/dinner time.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Unknown
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? Low-cost self-treatment
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. Swollen abdomen - her feathers are so thick from winter fluff that you can't see it well.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use 8'x8' hardware cloth run with roost, covered when rainy. Sometimes free-ranging in backyard. Bedding is pine shavings over sand.
Almost everyone has started laying in the past week but I've yet to catch her in the nest box - and am now concerned I need to drain her abdomen. Fortunately I'm a graduate student in chemistry and have access to everything I need - just need the information. Where do I insert the needle? Should I isolate her or leave her with the flock? She seems fine other than having the huge belly.
As per the list:
1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) Black Australorp, 6 mos, much heavier than all other birds
2) What is the behavior, exactly. Fluid-filled swollen abdomen.
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Unknown. Has been larger/heavier than others for 2 months. Just noticed swelling.
4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? No
5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No
6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. Coming into lay?
7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Observed her free ranging today with normal appetite. Not around for usual breakfast/dinner time.
8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Unknown
9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None
10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? Low-cost self-treatment
11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. Swollen abdomen - her feathers are so thick from winter fluff that you can't see it well.
12) Describe the housing/bedding in use 8'x8' hardware cloth run with roost, covered when rainy. Sometimes free-ranging in backyard. Bedding is pine shavings over sand.
