Distended croup and abdomen

[Kmo]

Hi yall,

I have one Salmon Favorelle chick that's a couple weeks old who I noticed today has a very distended abdomen and croup. Croup is hard, belly is almost like a water balloon feeling. Eating and acting normally. Thoughts? Ascites? Pics after soaking to see how big she looks.

 

[MissChick@dee]

What are you feeding her? Any types of treats? Have you noticed that perhaps she was pecking on things she shouldn’t of. If the crop is hard she might have a blockage or obstruction. You could try getting some coconut or olive oil into her (since you say she’s eating) massage gently. Does the crop empty out over night? You should restrict her from food over night and see if you notice a difference. If it does empty somewhat over night you might be able to get a better feel when you massage her. If you provide people treats do you provide grit?

 

[Kmo]

Just chick crumble. Pine shavings in a brooder tub. Nothing she could have gotten into.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Okay good. She could have a crop full of shavings. What does her poop look like? She may be pecking but not really eating they do that sometimes. Could you put her by herself tonight with just water. In the morning see if her crop is different. Then when you feed her in the morning monitor her intake. I’m just guessing but she might have a blockage. And the belly bloat is secondary to the blockage.

 

[Kmo]

Okay good. She could have a crop full of shavings. What does her poop look like? She may be pecking but not really eating they do that sometimes. Could you put her by herself tonight with just water. In the morning see if her crop is different. Then when you feed her in the morning monitor her intake. I’m just guessing but she might have a blockage. And the belly bloat is secondary to the blockage.

I'll do it and see how she look in the morning!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Best of luck to you. I truly hope it’s not ascites. She’s very young. And if it is then she was probably born with some type of conjunctive / heart problem. And it would be beyond my advice to drain something so small. Saying a prayer for you and the little chick.

 

[Kmo]

Update: this chick is odd. Still big. Like all around big. Shes probably 2 or 3 times the size of the chick she came in with. Even her feet are big. But seems less feathered? Crop still huge, but will empty with no food overnight so not impacted. Belly still bloated but not constipated, faces totally normal. Eats and drinks just fine. Acts totally normal. If anything shes the spunkiest of the bunch. I have no idea what's with her. She just looks absolutely awful but is totally fine otherwise??