Any ideas.......one hen dead.

[Miltonchix]

Yesterday DW went to coop to find one of our older hens fluffed up hiding in a nesting box. She had done this on several other occasions over the past 6 monts and after a day she would be fine. She appeared to be straining trying to lay. DW picked her up and she seemed a little lethargic but not too bad.
Later in the afternoon we checked on her and she was dead.
Abdomen was bloated and vent area was a little messy but not excessively so. It did appear her vent was slightly prolapsed. Before burying her I pushed and prodded her abdomen and it was like a dam broke. At least a quart of what looked exactly like urine poured/squirted from her vent. No smell to it, just lots of it. If I didn't know better I'd say she hadn't peed in a week. She seemed to be pooping fine.

Any ideas??? PLEASE, THANK YOU!!

NOW I read the rules...........duh
Red Sex link approx. 3.5 years old normal weight (her "sister" seems fine)

 

[usschicago1]

Thats weird....I wonder if it was an infection or an abscess ?

 

[chookchick]

Sounds like egg yolk peritonitis from having an egg break inside or being eggbound.

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
It's known as "ascites" (uh SIGH tease); accumulation of fluid in the abdominal/peritoneal cavity (and can happen in humans, also). If you realize it's happening, it can be drained off using a syringe & needle, but often you may not notice the symptoms. Sometimes it will look like they're trying to hide a water balloon under their feathers. It may feel "squishy"; unlike the regular muscle tone. Sometimes after draining, the hen will be fine, and sometimes it recurs often. It can be a result of internal laying or inflammation from infection. Do a search for ascites and it may answer some of your questions. I'm sorry for your loss.

 

[drumstick diva]

OH how sad. I feel bad for you and your poor hen.

 

[chookchick]

crtlovr--that does sound like the fluid that builds up in acites. Can the fluid move from the abdominal cavity to the intestinal tract? Do you think something broke when she died or when she was prodded?