Help! Large swollen abdomen on my new rescue hen

[Katyshenpen]

Hi,

I rescued 5 girls from a hen rescue today and when I got the girls home, I noticed that one had a rather swollen back end! Does anyone know what this could be!? I am totally stumped as I am a first time chicken owner! Any advice would be great! Thanks!

 

[casportpony]

Hi,

I rescued 5 girls from a hen rescue today and when I got the girls home, I noticed that one had a rather swollen back end! Does anyone know what this could be!? I am totally stumped as I am a first time chicken owner! Any advice would be great! Thanks!

Hello and welcome to BYC! Is a vet an option for this hen?

 

[Katyshenpen]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Is a vet an option for this hen?

I’ve searched for local vets that deal with poultry but can’t find any close! I’m going to ring around tomorrrow!

I’m hoping it’s just due to the stress of being removed from the factory, to a farm and then to us!

 

[DobieLover]

Hi,

I rescued 5 girls from a hen rescue today and when I got the girls home, I noticed that one had a rather swollen back end! Does anyone know what this could be!? I am totally stumped as I am a first time chicken owner! Any advice would be great! Thanks!

Sorry about your girl. It's so great that you rescued these ladies.
She has a rather severe case of ascites (abdominal fluid). It can be drained off to give her some relief. If she is an older girl it is likely a complication from a reproductive disorder.

 

[micstrachan]

Sorry about your girl. It's so great that you rescued these ladies.
She has a rather severe case of ascites (abdominal fluid). It can be drained off to give her some relief. If she is an older girl it is likely a complication from a reproductive disorder.

X2 Sorry. So awesome of you to rescue them!

 

[Eggcessive]

How does the lower abdomen feel—spongy, tight, firm? I have had a few hens with swollen bottoms who were big heavy hens who ate a ton. Sometimes it can be fat, fluid from ascites or a cystic right oviduct, sometimes from internal laying where there is egg matter or lash eggs inside, and I have seen one case here of a hernia that eventually burst.

How does she act? Is she laying eggs, eating, drinking, and acting normally? You could watch her to see if she is acting off. You could also try to drain her to see if you get any fluid out of her and what color it is, or see if she is laying. If she has ascites, the fluid would be yellow. If it were a cystic right oviduct, the fluid would be clear. A 16 gauge needle can be used. Here is a video:

 

[Katyshenpen]

Thanks so much for you replies!

I have had a quick “feel” today and it’s squidgy and warm! I didn’t want to poke her too hard in case I hurt her but she didn’t seem phased by me poking her!

I had 4 eggs this morning so someone hasn’t laid but I’m not sure who! She has been walking around absoloutly fine and been eating and drinking and scratching around!

Do you think I should quarantine her off within the pen to see if she is laying or not? (I don’t mind if she isn’t as I’ve not got them just for the Eggs! I just want her to be as comfortable as possible!)

Thanks again for your replies and any more help/advice would be appreciated!

 

[Eggcessive]

I would tend to leave her alone, and try to check the nest boxes often to see who is in there. Eventually you will know if she is laying or not. I have different breeds that lay different colors and shades making it a bit easier to tell whose eggs are laid.

 

[Elmien]

I also adopted some ex battery hens a few years ago and they all end up with some kind of complication from the severe pressure to lay an egg a day 365 days a year. Two of them also got swollen lumps near the vent but it was hard and you could see they were uncomfortable. When I took them to the vet they diagnosed them with cancer. What I have learned from chickens over the last 5 years is that as long as they eat and their heads and tails are up then they are ok. As soon as they start slouching, drop their tail or stop eating then something big is wrong and it is time for a visit to the vet.
Enjoy your girls. They are worth it.

 

[Katyshenpen]

I also adopted some ex battery hens a few years ago and they all end up with some kind of complication from the severe pressure to lay an egg a day 365 days a year. Two of them also got swollen lumps near the vent but it was hard and you could see they were uncomfortable. When I took them to the vet they diagnosed them with cancer. What I have learned from chickens over the last 5 years is that as long as they eat and their heads and tails are up then they are ok. As soon as they start slouching, drop their tail or stop eating then something big is wrong and it is time for a visit to the vet.
Enjoy your girls. They are worth it.

Ahh okay! Thank you!