Dragging butt, lethargic, waling like sumo wrestler

[54renihanmeadows]

https://timbercreekfarmer.com/ascites-in-chickens-and-ducks-water-belly/

Thank you, this really seems like the case. I'm bummed that it's incurable, but I'm going to try to manage her as comfortably as possible.

 

[Eggcessive]

You can check for ascites by withdrawing fluid from the abdomen with an 18 gauge needle, and looking at the color. You may not get any fluid if she has egg yolk peritonitis or something else, but it she has ascites, there would be yellow to amber fluid present. Removing fluid at intervals, it can help relieve pressure. It is not without risk though. Infection could be a risk, or possibly death. Here in post 42 are some pictures of draining a hen with ascites (water belly
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

 

[54renihanmeadows]

You can check for ascites by withdrawing fluid from the abdomen with an 18 gauge needle, and looking at the color. You may not get any fluid if she has egg yolk peritonitis or something else, but it she has ascites, there would be yellow to amber fluid present. Removing fluid at intervals, it can help relieve pressure. It is not without risk though. Infection could be a risk, or possibly death. Here in post 42 are some pictures of draining a hen with ascites (water belly
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

Wow, thank you for the super helpful resources! I'm getting up first thing tomorrow morning to treat her for this. I hope she can hold out long enough for me to treat her, she's so big now and I just want her to feel better. Thanks again!