8 year old hen

[vanlash]

p.s. the fluid does not really look pinkish, like in the photo. It looked ever so slightly yellow, but not like the photos I saw of ascites fluid.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Is that a lash egg beside the syringe?

 

[Eggcessive]

The thing in the picture looks possibly like a lash egg, a product of infection from salpingitis. Was the fluid clear and colorless? Her posture in the picture, and your description of waddling sound like a chicken with internal laying and salpingitis. Egg yolk peritonitis is also a possibility. Here is some reading:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/salpingitis-lash-eggs-in-backyard/

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/egg-peritonitis

http://www.theveterinaryexpert.com/backyard-poultry/egg-yolk-peritonitis/

 

[Ebony Rose]

@Eggcessive

Was the fluid clear and colorless?

OP said:

p.s. the fluid does not really look pinkish, like in the photo. It looked ever so slightly yellow, but not like the photos I saw of ascites fluid.

 

[OFChickens]

My husband wants to put her in ice cold water to see if it will shock her into pushing out whatever is in there, if there is. Is this anything anyone has heard of?

No don’t do that!!!

 

[vanlash]

Is that a lash egg beside the syringe?

It's a crushed egg. I'm not sure what a lash egg is, but the exterior was not soft like the egg had not hardened. It was definity a hard crushed shell.

 

[vanlash]

@Eggcessive
OP said:

Yes, it pretty much looked colorless.

 

[vanlash]

Thank you all for the pics, advice, stories, comfort and well-wishes. I will read all the links. I will put her back with the other hens tonight. She is dry now, and just laying on her side. I'm afraid, she would try to get down and fall from the nests above where everyone sleeps. She didn't usually sleep in a nest, but on a perch. But she is very weak and is laying down now, so I will make her a nest on the floor. Your all are probably right, she will like to hear the little sounds they all make at night...

 

[Banditschickens]

 

[vanlash]

Quick update: It is ascites (water belly). I read and watched tons of youtube to find out if anyone else had withdrawn fluid that was not a definite yellow, but more of a clear liquid. I couldn't find any, but after reading listening to others harrowing accounts (some ending in death, which was scary) of withdrawing fluid from the belly, I tried again. This time, definite yellow liquid. I only got about a 1/4 cup, but the needle fell out and I didn't want to poke her again so soon.... Happy I know what it is, sad that it probably means she will not live long, but I will keep trying this as long as it works.