Balloon Like Belly

[DMichaelW]

Hi,
I have an easter egger (unsure of age) that has a water balloon like feel to her abdomen. I noticed it the other day whenever I was treating my flock for mites. There appears to be A LOT of water build up. Any suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. Is the swollen area in her lower belly between her legs? That could be ascites or fluid build-up, or it could be a sign of internal laying ot even egg yolk peritontis. Ascites is yellow to amber fluid that collects from heart or liver failure, and is seen as well in some with egg yolk peritonitis. Some people or their vets may use a 16 gauge needle to drain some of the fluid occasionally to relieve pressure if the belly is tight like a drum. Most of us do not drain, since it may be hard to tell which of the above problems we are dealing with without vet care or an xray.
Does she lay eggs ?
Whenever I lose a hen, I usually try to do a necropsy to see what was going on inside. Many times we don’t know what has killed them if no symptoms are present. A professional necropsy can be done b.y most state vets.

 

[DMichaelW]

Welcome to BYC. Is the swollen area in her lower belly between her legs? That could be ascites or fluid build-up, or it could be a sign of internal laying ot even egg yolk peritontis. Ascites is yellow to amber fluid that collects from heart or liver failure, and is seen as well in some with egg yolk peritonitis. Some people or their vets may use a 16 gauge needle to drain some of the fluid occasionally to relieve pressure if the belly is tight like a drum. Most of us do not drain, since it may be hard to tell which of the above problems we are dealing with without vet care or an xray.
Does she lay eggs ?
Whenever I lose a hen, I usually try to do a necropsy to see what was going on inside. Many times we don’t know what has killed them if no symptoms are present. A professional necropsy can be done b.y most state vets.

Thanks, I’m pretty sure I got an egg from her. Had 3 Easter eggers in my flock, one couldn’t lay eggs (culled her 2 days ago) and recently had a day when I collected 2 Easter eggs. The area is swollen from the belly down to between the legs.

 

[dawg53]

It sounds like waterbelly. Her outcome doesnt look good. It would be best to cull.