Chicken with red belly but no other symptoms

12chickenstoomany

In the Brooder
Aug 2, 2025
6
24
24
Hi, my chicken is a one and a half year old Barred Rock, she is seemingly healthy in every way. She has no abdominal swelling, no labored breathing or wheezing, no missing feathers, no egg laying problems, no lethargy, no crusty butt, healthy appetite, but she has a red belly that feels very warm to the touch, and it spreads and recedes. She's the only chicken that has it out of my flock of 12, and she's had it for months. We thought it was water belly at first and we mourned and cried. We gave her epsom salt baths, checked to see if she was broody, checked the coop for wet spots or mold, and got nothing. I have antibiotics in my fridge that I keep on hand just in case, but I'm reluctant to give them to her because I don't know what's wrong! Any ideas? Should I even be worried?
 
Do you have any pictures?

IMG_8060.jpeg
 
Is she being feather picked by another or doing it herself? Could she be starting to molt?
It is possible she is doing it herself. The missing feathers are only on her belly. Could that cause the redness and warmth? There is no swelling and her belly feels just like all the other chickens. I hope it is something innocuous like that!
 

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