Chicken is Breathing a lot , Sneezing, and has Swollen Abdomen

[musicalchicken]

One of my chickens has a very swollen abdomen, is sneezing a lot, and seems to be working very hard to breathe. I have researched quite a bit but I am still not sure. I have a feeling she is egg bound but what about the sneezing and heavy breathing? I have had four of my chickens become egg bound but only one did not make it. All of my chickens are three to four years old. What could i do to prevent this? What could be wrong with my chicken and how could i help her feel better? Thanks in advance.

 

[cafarmgirl]

How old is this bird? Has she been laying regularly? What part of her abdomen exactly is swollen? If it is from between the legs on back that is usually ascites, fluid build up in the body cavities. It is a secondary result of some other disease process such as internal laying, peritonitis, cancer, heart or other major organ problems. None of it is good or fixable unfortunatley. The heavy breathing is a result of the pressure from the built up fluid, they just have a hard time breathing. Some people will drain the fluid or have a vet drain it, it will make the bird more comfortable temporarily and may extend it's life. It does not cure the underlying cause and the end result will be the same at some point depending on the cause.

 

[musicalchicken]

Thanks for replying. She is three years old and no i don't believe she has been laying for about a day or two. It is swollen right between her legs. I just soaked her in some warm water and massaged her abdomen. After, I stuck my finger in where she lays from and she pooped a lot of liquid green stuff. Earlier, she pooped some liquid white foam. She is outside with the others right now. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I really do appreciate it.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Well it certainly is possible she's got an egg stuck if it seems like it's just a small area that seems swollen.

 

[musicalchicken]

I believe there is an egg stuck as well. It has happened to her before twice but she was able to get it out herself. Is there anyway other way I can help her or at least prevent it from happening again if this is what's wrong?

 

[cafarmgirl]

You can give her a 500mg human calcium tablet or crush up a Tum's tablet and give that to her. Soaking her bottom in warm water sometimes helps as well. You can also try putting a little olive oil in her vent to help lube things up and help pass the egg.

Edited to add: As far as prevention... this may just be something that is a problem for her no matter what you do. Is she eating layer feed and/or does she have oyster shell available?

 

[musicalchicken]

Thank you! I will try your suggestions. She does eat layer feed. I mainly feed my chickens layer feed, fruits, veggies, bread, sun flower seed, and cracked corn. They don't seem to like oyster shell very much. I just brought her inside and she is in the garage in a bin with hay. I gave her some lettuce, bread, sun flower seeds, and water. She is eating the lettuce and hay. I know they do this to survive but she still seems perky unlike the last chicken that got that and past away.