Gaping: it must be something more...

[Wyorp Rock]

I don't really feel swelling below the vent but when I gently kneeded there she did the same thing, sunk down and then rose up gaping. It was clearly distressing and in the same way as kneeding the crop. I did do it a couple times to try to understand what is going on, I guess maybe there is bloating and the squeezing pushes gaseous air out??

She doesn't gape all the time, it's episodic. And she's not hunched over all the time; she was pert-tailed at noon.

With your description, I'd think she has something reproductive going on or perhaps liver related.

The gasping/breathing reminds me of hens that have fluid in the abdomen (a symptom called Ascites). This symptom can be due to organ failure (liver/heart) and/or reproductive disorders.
I would try Aloe Detox to see if that helps since you are not feeling a lot of fluid in the abdomen, but she's showing discomfort. Dosing and where to find it is in this link. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...le-to-move-now-laid-egg.1446105/post-24045478

Sometimes we can try many things and nothing makes much of a difference, it can be frustrating and heartbreaking at the same time.
Do the best you can, keep her fed and drinking, check her crop periodically to make sure it's emptying. Check for lice/mites, etc.

 

[aliris]

OK thank you, will do! She' such a sweet chicken. So fond of her, I'll try it all. Would miracle-calcium help? Or is that only a miracle when eggs are being laid regularly?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

OK thank you, will do! She' such a sweet chicken. So fond of her, I'll try it all. Would miracle-calcium help? Or is that only a miracle when eggs are being laid regularly?

Does she lay eggs?

I wouldn't give her extra calcium unless she seems to be in distress laying an egg or acting like she's having a very hard time expelling an egg.

 

[aliris]

No, she hasn't laid any in probably 6 months at least and before then it was very infrequent. She's not miserable - she looked fine today and wasn't gaping at all but really wants snuggles and when she comes close for patting, she sinks down to the earth. I checked her crop then and that did cause her to gape a little bit so I suppose I shouldn't do that, it's not really elliciting new information. But she's eating and running about during the day; her tail is looking almost fine now. I think she's probably largely fine but ... also as you say, in discomfort perhaps too. But living an ok life? I looked into a detox treatment but really don't know anything about this. She might perhaps want to be showing more obvious bloating or discomfort, so ... not sure that's warranted either. But I'll skip the calcium.

In the morning she's hunched with tail tucked under on her perch. Maybe sitting on a perch is uncomfortable? But I guess as long as she's not losing weight and perky-enough I'll just keep doing less than more...?

Thank you!!