Chicken not acting herself

[Aunt Angus]

Do you think the abdomen might be ascites?

 

[aart]

What does a hard or squishy abdomen usually mean?

Squishy(ascites or water belly) is a sign of organ infection or disease, hard could be tumor.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I’m going to poke around and feel her belly again today because last night in my searching I came across this too but I didn’t think it seemed full or squishy but I could be wrong. She does have a full bottom rump but she’s always been my big girl! I don’t exactly know what I’m feeling for. She’s only 6 months…the only symptom with ascites that align is not interested in food. I really hope it’s not that because I’ll be heartbroken

I have had that problem. What to look for?

Do you have a hen you can compare her to?

 

[aart]

She does have a full bottom rump but she’s always been my big girl! I don’t exactly know what I’m feeling for.

Feel from just below the vent to down in between her legs.
Compare to other birds.

 

[MohrChickens]

Feel from just below the vent to down in between her legs.
Compare to other birds.

I checked and compared but I can’t tell. She’s not noticeable squishy or hard compared to my other girls. Today she laid an egg for the first time in over a week. She’s still acting off though! Would the water belly be super squishy?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Maybe it is just gearing up to molt, then. Molting hens don't usually lay eggs, but they can and sometimes do (my sexlink lays year round, molting or not).

 

[MohrChickens]

Seeing as she laid an egg yesterday it put me at ease a tiny bit, but don’t think she’s out of the woods yet. Thank you to all you guys that posted/replied- I’ll be keeping an eye out for everything we talked about!