Chicken with bloated abdomen

[LittleBird123]

Around a day ago I noticed that one of my chickens has a bloated abdomen beneath her vent that feels like it is full of fluid. She has been having very watery diarrhea and is breathing heavy. Today her abdomen feels a little bigger and she looks painful. She will still eat and drink and her comb is a normal color. It also seems difficult for her to walk. The feathers beneath her vent are all wet and have some feces on them. I have been washing her off but it keeps getting dirty again. I don't know what to do. Is it worms or does she have fluid in her abdomen? Could this be contagious to my other chickens? And how can I treat her? Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

Have you checked her for a bound egg? If it broke that could be what the liquid is.

 

[LittleBird123]

Have you checked her for a bound egg? If it broke that could be what the liquid is.

I am not sure how I would check her for that. I don't know when the last time was that she laid an egg. Is there anything I can do for her to make her more comfortable?

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

Put on gloves,lubricate finger and insert finger into vent,go slow and careful,you are feeling for an egg or broken egg.

 

[LittleBird123]

Put on gloves,lubricate finger and insert finger into vent,go slow and careful,you are feeling for an egg or broken egg.

I don't think I have any gloves or lubricant around here. Her abdomen seems more full than If it were a broken egg. Should I try soaking her in Epsom salt?

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

That would be the best thing to start with. If she is egg bound it can cause a blockage so she can't have a bowel movement. I nice warm bath may loosen her up.

 

[Homesteadermomma6382]

a sandwich bag can replace a glove in a pinch and coconut oil can be used as a lubricant.