Bulge below rectum, losing feathers

[margaretbird]

Jersey Giant has has a saggy bottom for weeks. I just noticed she has lost a lot of feathers below vent area and has a soft bulge. She lays eggs regularly, am not seeing weird poos out there, I only have 7 chickens. Any ideas?

 

[CMV]

Have you ever seen a naked chicken butt? I ask because people who have never seen a naked butt often think there is a problem when they get their first glimpse. A chicken butt looks like a baseball was cut in half and glued to their butt. The skin is also generally bright red.

Feather loss can be from a variety of factors. Have you checked for bugs lately? Any feather picking going on in the flock? Could she be molting?

 

[margaretbird]

thanks for response. I have subsequently followed a 9 page thread that indicates many have seen this . no one really seems to know what is causing problem. Lymphoid leukosis is one of the diagnoses. Seems that the chicken can live a fairly long time but fatal. My hen is not getting pecked, seems happy, lays eggs regularly. If the mystery gets solved, I would love to hear about it!

 

[CMV]

Wait, what? I think you may be jumping the gun. How does a bird go from being healthy but slightly tatty in the feathers to having LL? LL is basically adult Marek's. Does she have Marek's-like symptoms?

 

[terryg]

Some of my best layers have bare butts. There's a difference between a normal, squishy chicken bottom and one that feels like it is a water balloon. I've got a FAQ about feather loss, you might find more clues about what is happening to your hen reading it.
http://hencam.com/faq/feather-loss-and-feather-picking/
In general, the more serious diseases are accompanied by nasty diarrhea, a change in behavior and a cessation of normal laying.

 

[CroChelle]

What does it mean if the bottom does feel like a tight water balloon?

 

[Sylvestor12]

LL is a very deadly disease but your bird doesn't sound like he has it. There's another thread where a bird did have LL. The thread is called Peewee is sick necropsy results. Hope it helps!

 

[CMV]

What does it mean if the bottom does feel like a tight water balloon?

If the bottom is taut and swollen then the bird has fluid build up in the abdomen.

 

[CroChelle]

If the bottom is taut and swollen then the bird has fluid build up in the abdomen.

I have a chicken like this but at a loss as to what is wrong with her. We inherited her and she came to us looking like this but she has gotten worse and now looks like she is having trouble walking. What causes the fluid build up?

 

[CountyLine]

Did it look like this?