Baby Chick Swollen, Bloated but acting normal

[acsinos]

I have a week old baby chick that was fine yesterday, but today he appears bloated and swollen. So swollen he's walking bowlegged and his wings are puffed away from his body. See below.

Other than looking like someone filled him up with an air, he's acting totally normal. Eating and hard to catch.

I checked his vent and its clean, so it doesn't appear to be a pasting problem. He doesn't seem to be in any distress.

Thoughts on this? I have seen all sorts of issues with chicks, but never this!


Holding him in my hand...this is him relaxed. Notice everything is puffed out.



Again, his body feels fluid filled and mushy.



A comparison shot of one his siblings. Note the difference.

 

[hkapica]

Did you ever find a reason for this? How did the chick turn out? I have one just like this that I'm wondering about.

 

[j5house]

I would love to hear your outcome as well. I have one that is 5 days old same problem but not acting sick.

 

[hkapica]

Mine ended up passing away, and upon necropsy found it was air filling her up. Probably a ruptured or improperly developed air sac. Some articles suggested using a sterile needle to relieve the air and that it may heal in time, but I found out too late.

 

[Tatiana110]

I have one like this, 5 weeks old. It happened overnight. It feels like she is balloon filled with air. Would love to know a reason why.