Help, can you tell me what is wrong with my chicken?

[Mary Brown]

I have a Barred Rock chicken that is about 5 years old. She can eat and go potty, but she droops around in her back end. I don't know what to do. She is not egg bound. She seems to be retaining fluids and getting bigger all of the time. She is slowly getting worse. Is there anything we can do? I have tried giving her Duramyin-10, but it doesn't seem to help. She has been sick for about 2-3 weeks. I have attached some photos for you to see how she looks. I am not the best at diagnosing chicken diseases, so I hope someone out there can help.

Thanks so much,
Mary

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. She looks to be sitting on her hocks or elbows in the picture. Does she have any swelling or discoloration of her legs, feet, or joints? Any bumblefoot (black spot with swelling) on her footpads? Is there any paralysis of legs, or is she able to take steps? Vitamin deficiency (B2 or riboflavin,) mycoplasma synoviae, viral arthritis, and Mareks disease can cause some of these symptoms. Gout can cause pain and swelling of feet and legs. Here are some links to read:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/99/mycoplasma-synoviae-infection-ms-infectious-synovitis
http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/pou..._poultry/vitamin_deficiencies_in_poultry.html
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/164/viral-arthritis
http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/avian-atlas/search/disease/502

 

[Mary Brown]

Thanks for your help. The problem is not in her feet. She is just so heavy from retaining fluids that it makes it difficult for her to walk or now even stand up correctly. We checked her legs and they seem fine, just overburdened with the extra weight. Do you have any other suggestions on why she would retain all of the fluids?

Thanks again,
Mary

 

[KayTee]

I saw a thread on here a few days ago which talked about egg yolk peritonitis (or internal laying). It described the posture of a bird with severe symptoms as a "penguin-like stance". I wondered what that meant, but I am sad to say that I think your photo is what they were describing. Given the age of your girl I think that it may be a strong possibility.

 

[KayTee]

I just found a good link to a page about egg yolk peritonitis.

http://www.chickenvet.co.uk/health-and-common-diseases/egg-laying-issues/index.aspx#egg_peritonitis