Help! Chick feels like a feathered balloon!

[ChickenFox]

One of my 3 week old Bantys feels like a feathered balloon. I notice him looking poofy the past couple days but it's been eating drinking and playing so I didn't think much of it but when I picked it up a moment ago it feels like he is completely filled with air. I was afraid I'd pop him and put him back down. What could this be and how do I fix it? I'm really worried he'll pop if it gets any worse.

 

[ChickenFox]

These pics don't really show just how bad the swelling(?) is but I hope they help. The feel of him/her is whats wigging me out most.

 

[KBG204]

How much water is it drinking?

 

[ChickenFox]

To be honest I'm not exactly sure. He has access to water at all times and when I check on them i'll see him drinking with some of the other chicks. He's still hopping around and playing pretty good and eats like a horse. I'm probably overreacting but this is the first time I've had chicks and I'm worried I'm doing something wrong...I also just switched from unmedicated feed to medicated yesterday. Will that hurt him any?

 

[KBG204]

Sometimes chicks eat until there crop is hard and full. If this is the case just make sure he drinks plenty of water. I wouldn't worry to much, especially if he is active. Massage his/her belly a little lol I know it sounds weird but it might help the food move down.

 

[Crimsonchicken]

Hey. I have some that look just like yours. I got them from TS. One of mine is a balloon chick too. I've been reading and it is caused by subcutaneous emphysema. One of the internal air sacs has ruptured and air is leaking out and collecting under the skin. I've been very carefully using a 18 gauge syringe needle and puncturing the skin over the area where most air has collected and letting the air out. It collects under the skin daily so the procedure has to be done several times before the air sac heals. I have been very careful about sterilizing the skin and the needle. Also, you have to make sure and not hit a vein or puncture something vital.

 

[ChickenFox]

No way I could poke my poor guy with a needle. Luckily he hasn't gotten any bigger so I don't have to. He hasn't deflated any but he can move around all right so I guess he'll be fine until it heals on its own...

 

[Sparrow]

The trouble is,if you don't take measures to release the pressure from under his skin, he may not heal. Even if his rupture heals and he stops leaking air under the skin, all that trapped air has to go somewhere, and it does not belong under the skin. If you cannot handle aspirating it, you need to take him to an avian vet. Leaving this alone is not the best option.

 

[ChickenFox]

Sorry I haven't been on in awhile. Been busy trying to get the coop built but the weather isn't cooperating.

Good news though. Sqeaker has now returned to his normal size.

When I had just decided to woman up and 'pop' him I notice he was a little smaller than before. After a week or so he seemed to have completely deflated on his own. I checked him over and there were no rips or wounds of any kind so my only guess is that his body found a way to expel the air on its own.

I'm just happy that he's back to normal and hopefully this isn't something that will happen again anytime soon. lol