Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Hello FBA. I haven't been very present last week, so I was very grateful for @ChicoryBlue 's exhaustive synopsis .

@Ponypoor I have some (well actually many) questions about drainage and ascites. I think my hen Kara possibly has that, but I am not 100% certain. Her abdomen feels swollen and squishy, her vent is constantly pulsating, her crop is normal and she doesn't smell bad. She has a penguin stance and I thought she was eggbound, but she is laying normally. I remember you said no fluid came out of Red when you tried draining her. Is there a risk to try drainage in case it isn't ascites ? Is it possible to damage any organs ?
I’m hesitant to take her to the vet to get a professional diagnosis and get them to show me, but that would only be in ten days, and she looks quite uncomfortable. Would pain meds help at all if I wait ?
And you said you were using a butterfly needle, right ? What did you attach it to to collect the fluid ? I am not sure about what supplies I should get if I do it at home, and I would have to order them, which will certainly take a bit of time as well.

She doesn't look to be in terrible pain as she can still run a bit and eat and move, although she spent most of the last two days lying down, but I am afraid it will get worse.
I think am not too squeamish with needles since I helped vaccinate lambs but that also taught me I am very clumsy with them, so I don't want to risk doing any serious damage.

Thank you for any help or advice. I will be also posting in the emergency forum.
Kara dozing in the sun.
View attachment 3696993

Hi Manue,

I am trying to find a video I found when I first drained Tuff back in the summer. It was a good video, but I can’t seem to find it now. I’ll keep looking.

But having said that there are no shortages of info in this and videos showing how it’s done. The videos will explain where to drain (I think it’s 1” down from the right of the vent)

I used a 1” 20 gauge needle and a 35 ml syringe, I also tried with a butterfly needle on Red but couldn’t aspirate anything, I also tried the 20 gauge needle.

I would suggest an 18 gauge 1” needle as you have a helper.

The key is to not draw off too much fluid at once, remove 20ml

Then empty the syringe to give the bird a rest, then another 20ml.

I would revisit the withdrawl next day for any additional 20ml for a couple withdrawls.

I would first look on YouTube for videos showing how it’s done so you are familiar and comfortable with what to do.

 

[notabitail]

@notabitail How is Beetov-hen doing?

I don't know. I'll ask my sister. Yesterday a bit better.

 

[Ponypoor]

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain all this. It's very helpful and makes us feel that we should indeed take her to the vet, so we can know what's going on.

I will call the clinic tomorrow as they only answer for emergencies on Sunday. The closest online reservation I could get was in ten days, but sometimes on the phone they manage to find emergency appointments.
It is a possibility that she has an infection, yes. She doesn't act or feel like my three other hens that died of EYP. She did have an issue laying about six weeks ago, she passed two eggs on the same day and since then her eggs shells are much weaker and lighter, but she has been laying every day.
Her poops are not great, but they never have been, and they are not worse. She is one of the POL pullets I got from a bad breeder that were all very unhealthy when they arrived here.

I was really thinking fatty liver disease, because she is a glutton like I have never seen before, and a big hen that feels really heavy. But I guess cancer or colibacillosis are also possibilities. She is only ten months old .

Poor wee thing, bad breeders are everywhere.

I really worry about my Azurs, but not really much to be done other than hope they slow down in the laying business.

Is Maize a production type breed?

 

[Ponypoor]

Hi Manue,

I am trying to find a video I found when I first drained Tuff back in the summer. It was a good video, but I can’t seem to find it now. I’ll keep looking.

But having said that there are no shortages of info in this and videos showing how it’s done. The videos will explain where to drain (I think it’s 1” down from the right of the vent)

I used a 1” 20 gauge needle and a 35 ml syringe, I also tried with a butterfly needle on Red but couldn’t aspirate anything, I also tried the 20 gauge needle.

I would suggest an 18 gauge 1” needle as you have a helper.

The key is to not draw off too much fluid at once, remove 20ml

Then empty the syringe to give the bird a rest, then another 20ml.

I would revisit the withdrawl next day for any additional 20ml for a couple withdrawls.

View attachment 3697148

I would first look on YouTube for videos showing how it’s done so you are familiar and comfortable with what to do.

SHRA Tax as I didn’t see CB’s answer (still having internet issues here), I would also say that both Tuff and Red were gasping and this is a classic sign of pressure on the lungs/heart. Usually from ascitis.

Tax time!

They are all three just cleaning up that small pumpkin

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

This one is for Her Royal Highness Aurora herself. Trudy/Judy informs me she heard of a royal decree regarding pink eggs being the best. I look outside this afternoon and what do I see in the winter sunlight but a pink egg. I tried to capture it the best I could. In person it really does have a pink hue. Sweetheart, you are a barred rock not a easter egger, but you do you girl.

 

[notabitail]

In Albis doesn't seem well. Last few days she has been sitting the nesting box a lot. Today my sister said she didn't respond to the food call and was just sleeping and didn't eat.
Later today I gave her a mealworm and she devoured it like normal. I made the food call and she jumped on the nesting boxes. But right now she is sitting around doing nothing.
Does anyone have any idea as to what could be wrong with her and how to diagnose it?

 

[featherhead007]

Hows about some Sunday afternoon stripes? ::

 

[Ponypoor]

Hows about some Sunday afternoon stripes? :: View attachment 3697264

Beautiful ladies

 

[featherhead007]

Beautiful ladies

Can’t really say that. They’re not LAY-dees, cause they’re not LAY-ing .
What you see here is freeloading feathered lawnmowers.

 

[featherhead007]

In Albis doesn't seem well. Last few days she has been sitting the nesting box a lot. Today my sister said she didn't respond to the food call and was just sleeping and didn't eat.
Later today I gave her a mealworm and she devoured it like normal. I made the food call and she jumped on the nesting boxes. But right now she is sitting around doing nothing.
Does anyone have any idea as to what could be wrong with her and how to diagnose it?

You change the battery in my Kindle Fire, and I will fix your hen!