Help! EggBound hen!

[tearooster]

Hi! I have a 3 year old Americana hen who has lately been slowing down her egg production. I found her in the coop and picked her up seeing that she has a red bum and poop stuck to the feathers around her vent... I brought her inside and she is currently in a warm sink. She's drinking her tub water. Help!

 

[Eggcessive]

Pictures can always help with a diagnosis. Clean up her vent area, and note if the vent is swollen, bulging, or if there is red tissue protruding (cloacal prolapse.) You can put on a rubber glove, and gently poke a finger inside 1-2 inches to feel for an egg. If you feel an egg or it looks like she is egg bound, give her a calcium tablet, a Tums, or some liquid calcium. Then place her in a warm humid area, or if she is not in distress, in a warm shallow bath for 20 minutes. Here are some links to help:
http://beautyofbirds.com/eggbinding.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/07/chicken-egg-binding-causes-symptoms.html
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/04/prolapse-vent-causes-treatment-graphic.html
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/Prolapse.htm

 

[tearooster]

She's not egg bound. Because she drinks tons of water and I haven't felt an egg inside her. I was thinking maybe water belly?

Please any advicw

 

[tearooster]

 

[tearooster]

She's very bloated and red. Not moving a ton. I'm going to try to take her to a chicken vet tonight and see if he can drain the fluid

 

[Eggcessive]

Ascites or fluid in the lower belly can occur with heart failure or liver disease secondary to internal laying. An 18 gauge needle can be inserted to remove the fluid periodicaly to help relieve pressure and pain, as well as to help make breathing easier. It's good that you can see a vet. Here is some info (see post # 4) about ascites draining:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/853726/ascites-in-desperate-need-of-some-help-and-guidance

 

[tearooster]

So....... We got a syringe and emptied out a whole cup of yellow fluid!!!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Great job! She probably feels better, I would imagine. You have a lot of courage to attempt to drain her. Keep us posted on how she is doing.

 

[tearooster]

After we drained her she headed right for the food we had out

. It's been a couple days since then and we are going to drain her again tomorrow. She's walking to the same spot everyday to go sit down and not move. It's been in the 100s this week so I'm not sure if she's trying to cool down or what.