HELP NEEDED: Young chicken has swollen abdomen! Ruptured air sack(s) likely!

[MelissaRose]

Yes, I wonder if it has to do with the fox also. He was kind of hiding when we found him and his mom and sibling have not turned up so I'm assuming their dead.

 

[MelissaRose]

You can watch and observe and it might resolve on its own. You can make a small hole to allow the air to escape or you can take baby to an avian vet.

I don't think a vet is an option....

 

[Henriettamom919]

There are people here who can walk you through trying to release the air if it comes to that.

 

[MelissaRose]

There are people here who can walk you through trying to release the air if it comes to that.

Ok, thanks!

 

[Henriettamom919]

Yes, I wonder if it has to do with the fox also. He was kind of hiding when we found him and his mom and sibling have not turned up so I'm assuming their dead.

Momma might not be! I can't say for certain but she's not likely to come back until later. Go out periodically and shake some feed in a bowl and call her. I've seen chickens show back up shaken but otherwise okay. I'm not trying to give you false hope but it's not hopeless, either

 

[Henriettamom919]

So next big question; do you know where the fox got in and can your hubby (if you have one) or someone else come work on the weak spot?

 

[MelissaRose]

It doesn't show up so much in the pictures but in real life its worse. I tried to point to where its worse.
Its his left side. His lower abdomen under his leg is swollen. His thigh, and his hip. Are al the places that are badly swollen. He still has not, pooped, eaten or drunken any water.

 

[MelissaRose]

In the first and second pictures, that bulge, that looks like his hip is all air.

 

[MelissaRose]

Momma might not be! I can't say for certain but she's not likely to come back until later. Go out periodically and shake some feed in a bowl and call her. I've seen chickens show back up shaken but otherwise okay. I'm not trying to give you false hope but it's not hopeless, either

She didn't really come to shaking food but I can try that.

 

[MelissaRose]

Is the air putting a lot of pressure on his organs?

If I'm going to puncture the air bubble, I will have to do that sooner rather than later wont I?