Chick feeling bloated and walking oddly

[Rosekitten]

So this is the first time my hens have hatched their own chicks. Thus far one pass from a broken neck in the water bowl (that was removed and everyone is on safe watering containers for now). But now I have one of my larger chicks feeling bloated and walking, but walking oddly and sitting down a lot. Also it's quivering, at first I thought it's leg was hurt or was stepped on, but the body almost feels like a small water balloon.

Is there anything I can do for it or would culling the poor chick be the more humane thing to do? (Keeping animals, this is always the question.. what quality of life will it have).

I'm assuming this is water belly? But I can't find any info on treating chicks with it.. and it seems like the condition won't go away (going off of the articles and videos on adult hens with it).

edit: It's only bloated on one side. I'm starting to think this was from a injury, not sure from what.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

@Eggcessive any ideas?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does it feel like it could be air under the skin? That is a leaking air sac from being bumped or injured. If you feel like that might be what it is, you can take an 18 to 20 or 22 gauge hypodermic needle, and insert it just under the skin to withdraw the air with a syringe. I would use a 10-20 ml syringe from your feed store where the needles and syringes are locked up.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is a video showing air being removed:

Here is one using a pin or needle:

https://www.tiktok.com/video/7242770500789996846

 

[Rosekitten]

Does it feel like it could be air under the skin? That is a leaking air sac from being bumped or injured. If you feel like that might be what it is, you can take an 18 to 20 or 22 gauge hypodermic needle, and insert it just under the skin to withdraw the air with a syringe. I would use a 10-20 ml syringe from your feed store where the needles and syringes are locked up.

Oh my gosh thank you! I was scratching my head on this and it was so weird. Cause everyone in my flock has been healthy, zero issues. So I wasn't sure what was going on. I assumed it had gotten hurt somehow but I wasn't sure if it was fixable.

Literally just took a pin out there (my local shops didn't have needles, they were out, so I sterilized a sewing pin). Just a itty bitty hole and it was all better. A little hobble on the leg but it may just be sore. I'll keep an eye on it regardless.

Didn't act like it hurt at all, it was a little startling to hear the pop noise when it gets past the skin, zero blood and super easy. Chick was back to eating within a few minutes.