7 month old Plymouth with swollen abdomen, weakness, & maybe contractions?

[Hen Pen Jem]

Hello, I just went though this with my black star. Poops were just as you described. She'd sit and pump like trying to lay, also labored breathing, now and then. I gave her a lightly warm bath 3 times a week in one half cup Epsom salt in a dish tub. No rinse, pat dry gently. Also, detoxed with Lily of the Valley Aloe Vera 80, 2 Tbsp in gal. of water and moistened her mash with it. She stayed in a hospital cage for a 2 weeks. When I returned her to the coop, because she was getting depressed. She was not able to get up on the perch. So I had her sleep in a box on the floor of the coop. I have since learned, it is important they not jump during this time, as they can rupture the skin and die. I decided to make a truss that attached to a saddle to support and protect her belly. Each morning and evening I would rub some herbal healing cream "The Rub", on her hot little belly. I would feed her fresh greens, black grapes, minced apple, meat, cooked grains: oat groats, wheat berries, brown rice, and layer mash free choice. After 6 weeks, I finally took her to see the vet. He diagnosed her with a hernia and congested heart which caused her to pant. No egg was felt when he palpated her belly. He said it was nothing I did or did not do that caused it. Just some breeds suffer with this. No need to euthanize, take her home and let her live out her days. So, I brought her home and continued to provide the supportive care. And, a week and a half later I noticed her walking better. Her swelling went down and she was later running around with the other hens! After 9 weeks she is back to normal. She has not laid an egg since this all started and may never. But, that's OK with me...I am thankful to God for her little life. She is a joy to have in my flock of pet chickens.

 

[azygous]

I agree. Not EYP. I just meant that was my initial thought before it manifested as something contagious. What types of contagious bacterial infections can chickens contract?

Bacteria is far less contagious than viruses. Bacteria are opportunistic and target chickens with compromised immune systems, often compromised by a virus they are carrying, resulting in secondary infections. Like in humans, bacteria are often present but do not tilt into sickness unless the individual is run-down. However, if a human or chicken gets hold of a contaminated source, a huge number of bacteria will overwhelm even a healthy individual and even kill them. E.coli has this potential although it's present in the gut of practically every warm blooded being and is harmless most of the time.

 

[micstrachan]

Got it. Bacteria less contagious just like in humans. So they may have been exposed to the same bacteria from another source (e.g. compost pile,) but unlikely from each other? Or... they could be sharing a virus that is compromising their immune systems, making them susceptible to bacterial overload? Thanks for sharing your wisdom, even thiugh I wasn't the original poster. I'm on a chicken care knowledge quest!

 

[azygous]

Another possibility is rat poison ingestion. Is it possible they could have found some d-con granules that were put out for mice and rats? The symptoms would be similar. The bleeding into the abdominal cavity would produce noticeable swelling.

Symptoms of Anticoagulant Rodenticide Ingestion

• Bleeding is a common symptom of exposure to anticoagulant rodenticides. ...
• Bruising may occur as blood leaks into the skin.
• Blood loss often leads to weakness, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
• Bleeding into the lungs may lead to coughing (cats, dogs) or trouble breathing.
  

 

[AllensBackyardBarnyard]

It could be E.coli. Have your chickens been scratching around in a compost pile where rotten fruit and veggies have been discarded?

The symptoms include those what your hen is exhibiting, including the swollen abdomen probably from the irritated liver that E.coli can produce. Also the red skin.

It's a gram negative bacteria so amoxycillin is the best bet. Time is of the essence. Get a vet to give you some if you have none on hand. Injectible penicillin would get the antibiotic into the system faster than orally.

Oh Christ. They've been in the dying garden!! Composting vines, corn stalks, dying squash & zucchini....As have all my chickens!

 

[AllensBackyardBarnyard]

Not only have they been scratching through the dying garden, we have a large compost pile that we just recently got completely turned from bottom to top.
This answer makes a whole lot of sense. And that would explain why it has affected the other hen.

 

[azygous]

You may also be looking at botulism toxin as an alternative to E.coli. Either one can be deadly and a broad spectrum antibiotic is necessary.

I used to discard my spoiled, moldy squash and tomatoes in the compost pile, and I've since stopped doing it because I had a hen get very sick after digging the decaying mess up after a very wet winter created just the right conditions for the toxin to form.

There is a rule adopted by many here on BYC that compost piles and chickens do not a happy couple make. I keep my compost limited to horse and cattle manure so the chickens can continue to enjoy this "playground" safely.

We're all hoping these chickens are going to recover.

 

[Eggcessive]

If they have only been scratching around the vegetable patch, it may not be a big deal or the cause of the illness. But when there is a pile of dead buried vegetation such as in a compost pile, where air does not circulate, then botulism could be a problem. Botulism normally comes from eating the toxin found in a dead animal or fish, but also vegetation, maggot, and even mud from being underground or underwater, in anaerobic conditions. It is more common in ducks, but can be found in chickens.

Reproductive disorders and egg yolk peritonitis are very common in today's hens. Those things can lead to leg weakness. E.coli is always in the gut, but can accidentally get into the egg tract or open abdomen, and become widespread. Unfortunately most of us can only find out what went wrong after death when a home necropsy or professional one is performed. Hopefully, they will get better.