Chicken is panting and won’t walk

[Savannahbeau]

My chicken had a very poopy butt the last week. She was walking prior but walking funny, like with her butt down. I put her in a bath to clean her. After the bath she became completely lethargic and really has not moved much sense. I’ve had to place her in the coop at night and she was in the same place I left her this morning. I got her out of the coop this morning and placed her right next to the water. She stayed put most of the day but did move at some point to be out of the sun. Otherwise she just sits and pants.

She is probably 2.5 years. I have no idea if she still lays or even can. I bought her vaccinated for mareks. I did check her vent with a glove and lubricant and felt nothing in there. That’s what I read to try and check for being egg bound. Only a thin white substance came out. I assume diarrhea?

The area between her legs feels warm and kind of bloated. Her feathers are a bit thin there. I’m not sure if that means anything. I fear she probably has some chronic condition. I don’t have a chicken vet to go to. Looking for any insight or how to make her more comfortable.

 

[Savannahbeau]

Also wanted to add that I know she hasn’t been roosting in the coop for at least 2 weeks. Just sits in the bedding under the others.

 

[SkyAJK]

From my short backyard chicken experience:

Keep her somewhere quiet and comfortable so that she is not pick on by other chickens and she can rest.

Chicken panting and not moving is sounding like she is in a pain.
The way she stands is looking like egg issue.

Bloating under belly is not a good sign - check out bloating postings

Have you check her crop? If it feels squishy, could be sour crop.

Might be call a few VETs ask if they treat chickens? Sometime they do.

Whatever you choose to do, do it quickly, she is in a lot of pain. She must be having this condition longer than the two weeks that she stopped roosting at night. Best of luck.

 

[Savannahbeau]

Update. She definitely has water belly. I drained 45 ml of yellow fluid from her. I think she has more but according to videos and stuff online they can go into shock if you take out more ml than that.

She is still just laying there after the fluid extraction but is drinking water on her own. Not sure if I can just expect her to start walking anytime soon. It’s been about 30 min since I took off the fluid.

If she doesn’t perk up by tomorrow, should I try pulling off more fluid?

 

[SkyAJK]

Oh, poor girl. It is a good sign that she is drinking water, I hope she is feeling a bit comfortable after the water removed from her belly. In such a condition and the body still laying egg.

I am sorry I don't have any experience with water belly to share with you. If it was me, then I would remove some more water like you plan to do.

Give her some poultry vitamins in her drink, this is to help sick chicken.

Read this post about the liquid colour. It might give you some information.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/water-belly-treatment.1638420/

This is a good article about chicken reproductive health.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/reproductive-health-in-chickens.79238/

I hope your girl is getting better by the day. Please keep update.

 

[SkyAJK]

Here is another article about water belly.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/possible-help-for-waterbelly-ascites.78163/

 

[Savannahbeau]

Sad to say but she passed a few days after my last post. Just never really recovered to any extent.

 

[SkyAJK]

I am sorry to hear that your girl passed away. It is very sad, but she is free from suffering & pain now. I feel for you. Might be start to look up VET that might treat chickens for future need, or find a local chicken groups, or a chicken rescue groups so you might get some more help in the future.