Chicken with swollen belly

[mosander]

This sounds different than the ascites. A chicken vet may help but it sounds like euthanasia may be unavoidable. I have an old chicken with ascites. When she gets where walking is a problem or her comb is red and swollen, relief is mandatory as she is having trouble breathing from internal pressure. I use an 18 gauge 1 inch needle and a pair of hemostats and 2 20 cc or 30 cc syringes. I tape her wings in place to prevent her from wiggling, I put a sock over her head to keep her calm and I have a second person to hold the legs and place the second hand on her midsection gently. I insert the needle in the lower abdomen and begin withdrawing liquid which is usually yellow and slightly turbid. I remove the syringe and pass it to my helper who expressed it into a bucket while I attach the second syringe (holding the needle to prevent it slipping out.) Repeat this until you get a lot of fluid out. Infection is less likely because all of the fluid is coming out under pressure which prevents the introduction of infection. I have done this 3 times on this chicken. She is good for 3-4 months and is still laying eggs.

 

[MissMindy]

This sounds different than the ascites. A chicken vet may help but it sounds like euthanasia may be unavoidable. I have an old chicken with ascites. When she gets where walking is a problem or her comb is red and swollen, relief is mandatory as she is having trouble breathing from internal pressure. I use an 18 gauge 1 inch needle and a pair of hemostats and 2 20 cc or 30 cc syringes. I tape her wings in place to prevent her from wiggling, I put a sock over her head to keep her calm and I have a second person to hold the legs and place the second hand on her midsection gently. I insert the needle in the lower abdomen and begin withdrawing liquid which is usually yellow and slightly turbid. I remove the syringe and pass it to my helper who expressed it into a bucket while I attach the second syringe (holding the needle to prevent it slipping out.) Repeat this until you get a lot of fluid out. Infection is less likely because all of the fluid is coming out under pressure which prevents the introduction of infection. I have done this 3 times on this chicken. She is good for 3-4 months and is still laying eggs.

I tried that and didn't get any fluid.

 

[theoldchick]

You can have an avian vet drain the fluid, look at a sample of the fluid under the microscope to determine what kind of cells is in there. Accumulation of fluid in chickens can be caused by reproductive issues, heart problem or liver failure.

 

[MissMindy]

The little fingerlike projection is the oil gland they use to preen their feathers. Just leave that be.

If your hen is having a water retention problem in her belly, that's called Ascites (water belly) https://backyardchickenchatter.com/what-is-water-belly-ascites-in-chickens/

I had one here that had a pretty mild case and it didn't get better or worse for at least 2 years but she did pass away. In the most recent times I felt her belly it seemed like she had a big tumor, and that probably caused the ascites.

you'll want to consider draining the fluids if you want to keep her alive for a bit. its painless and will extend her life. but eventually she will probably pass. sorry about that.

Wow, that's why she was going back to it, thank you!
I've had a hen with ascites and I was able to drain her, but when I tried to drain this bird I didn't get any fluid. I can feel lumps inside her, which my other hen didn't have with ascites. Her comb looks healthy, still eating, drinking, etc., but not laying. She is 5, so I didn't think much of that and my hens just started laying again after the winter. I'm going to get some aspirin just in case she is in pain. I'll do the right thing when she doesn't seem happy anymore. I know that seems silly, but she's out taking a dirt bath and basking in the sun right now!
Thank you!

 

[theoldchick]

Maybe she's reached Henopause. After a certain age certain breeds will stop laying and may gain weight due to diet. My old gals are lumpy and bumpy down below but live to be 10 or older with a properly managed diet. I stop the layer pellets in my old gals and feed them wild bird seed with lots of greens (clover, chickweed, kale).

 

[tcfoster]

No avian vet with 2 hrs

It looks like you are in Tahoe. I am also in Northern California (Calaveras County) and we also have no avian vets nearby but I did take my little silkie Peanut to the Bird and Pet Clinic in Roseville.. It would still be a drive for you but if you are desperate. https://birdandpet.net/