Chicken has Scabby and bulging back side - ascitis?

[kristin24seven]

Hi everyone, my chicken, Red is about 4-5 years old and she is eating and drinking fine, but she has a bulging and scabby back side/abdomen. I'm extremely concerned because we have missed this and I think this has been occurring for awhile given the size.

Is this ascitis and do I need to drain her? I wasn't sure if she was egg bound or not, but I think process of elimination/symptoms, it could quite be ascitis. I have soaked her in a warm epson salt bath for about 15 minutes and fed her oyster shell just in case she's is egg bound. Please help and any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[kristin24seven]

Hi everyone, my chicken, Red is about 4-5 years old and she is eating and drinking fine, but she has a bulging and scabby back side/abdomen. I'm extremely concerned because we have missed this and I think this has been occurring for awhile given the size.

Is this ascitis and do I need to drain her? I wasn't sure if she was egg bound or not, but I think process of elimination/symptoms, it could quite be ascitis. I have soaked her in a warm epson salt bath for about 15 minutes and fed her oyster shell just in case she's is egg bound. Please help and any advice is greatly appreciated.

Here are some pictures of Red.

 

[The Phantom]

@casportpony

 

[casportpony]

I fear it could be ascites, and you could drain her, but it's not a cure, it just prolongs their life. @Eggcessive and @Wyorp Rock might have some helpful comments.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I agree, it could be Ascites which would be a symptom of whatever is going on with her.
Do you know when she last laid an egg?

You can try draining to see if there is fluid in there, but as @casportpony mentioned, it is not a cure.

For the scabby bald rear end, I would use NuStock to help heal and sooth that. She is likely getting picked at a bit.

 

[kristin24seven]

Thanks so much for the reply. I know it could mean an underlying issue or liver failure, etc. I just want to make her comfortable. I'm going to separate her from the other hens and see if she lays. Any ideas where I can get an 18 gauge needle to drain it? I'm a bit terrified to poke her with a needle, but we don't have any good aviary vets around here.

 

[Eggcessive]

You should be able to find hypodermic needles in most farm or feed stores that have cattle medicines. A 16 gauge would be good, or 18 gauge if they don’t have a 16. The skin should be disinfected with betadine or chlorhexidene beforehand. Here is a video about draining an abdomen:

 

[kristin24seven]

thanks so much!