Bloated or Egg Bound hen

[below_gravity]

Noticed RIR hen in the morning looking bloated and waddling. Let the hens out to free range hoping running around might help. Bloated hen was out and about all day waddling. Hen has an extremely bloated abdomen. I cannot feel any egg. Brought hen about 30 min ago and placed in warm bath.

She is currently soaking. Any advice?

I lost a hen around April of this year from the same thing. The other hen I didn't catch as early. She was at the point where she couldn't walk. Had to cull her after two days of soaking and lubricating. Would prefer to cull this girl, but definitely don't want her to do through 2 days of misery...

 

[cafarmgirl]

When their body gets bloated like that it is due to ascites, a fluid buildup in the body cavity. This can be caused by several things including internal laying, egg yolk peritonitis, heart/circulatory problems etc. None of these things has a good outcome and I've gotten to the point where I generally just cull these birds when I see these symptoms. Or when they progress to where the bird is obviously not comfortable anymore. In the past we've tried treating them but never with any good or lasting outcomes. I've had necropsies done, one bird had egg yolk peritonitis from internal laying, another was due to a heart defect. There's mulitple causes, none treatable. Except in the case of internal laying I have heard of people having the hen spayed. I have a vet who will do it but it's not something I'm willing to do.

 

[dkosh]

It might be ascities, fluid that builds up in the abdomen for some unknown reason. You can drain the fluid but it doesn't solve the problem. I have not had good luck the few times I have found it in my flock. The last girl I found like this I managed to drain the fluid with a large gauge needle but it did not save her. She ended up dying a few days later but didn't seem to be in the same amount of discomfort. Here is the picture I took of her.

 

[below_gravity]

Guess I will have to look into ascites. Both of the hens that suffered are 4+ years old. Is this a common cause of death in old birds.

So basically, there is no (easy) cure. She will not recover on her own? So I should put her out of her misery?

 

[below_gravity]

How do you drain the abdomen? I have 12ml syringes and 20gauge 1 1/2" needles. willing to give it a try if she might get better.

 

[below_gravity]

Searched around the forum.

Removed approximately 50ml of fluid. Needle hole continues to drain. used syringe w/o needle to remove an additional 20 ml as it drained. Hen is feeling better, but starting to cough. She will stay inside away from others until draining stops. Will monitor her closely and if she doesn't show improvement we will cull her.

 

[cowcreekgeek]

Searched around the forum.

Removed approximately 50ml of fluid. Needle hole continues to drain. used syringe w/o needle to remove an additional 20 ml as it drained. Hen is feeling better, but starting to cough. She will stay inside away from others until draining stops. Will monitor her closely and if she doesn't show improvement we will cull her.

Sorry she's havin' troubles, and that you had to go through all that, but mighty impressed by the good effort you've made ... hope she gets better ~'-)

 

[cafarmgirl]

Searched around the forum.

Removed approximately 50ml of fluid. Needle hole continues to drain. used syringe w/o needle to remove an additional 20 ml as it drained. Hen is feeling better, but starting to cough. She will stay inside away from others until draining stops. Will monitor her closely and if she doesn't show improvement we will cull her.

Draining them does make them more comfortable, makes it easier to breath and relieves pressure on vital organs. Eventually the fluid will return however since it is caused by another problem.
Kudos to you for trying that! Not something I've attempted myself though I've had a vet drain one of mine.