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

[Eggcessive]

Is the chick breathing normally, or does it seem to be struggling or having a clicking sound with each breath? I had a chick the same age that had a ruptured air sac on his right side from trauma. He clicked and was gasping, so I tried to pull the air out. It is similar to a human having a collapsed lung. If he is is tolerating it, just wait for the air to be reabsorbed by the body.

If he is struggling to breathe, you can use a sterile needle and insert it under the skin. You can then press the air out through the needle, or pull it out with a syringe. An 18 gauge needle is used in older birds, but I only had a 22 gauge, so that is what I used. After I got the air out, I held a clean finger over the needle site for several minutes.

I had to repeat this since the air came back. But it finally stopped. The chick almost appeared limp and dead, but it revived in a few minutes. Some have even used sterilized sewing needles in an emergency. Good luck. Here is a video of a vet deflating a ruptured air sac:

 

[chickens really]

I'm kinda thinking thats what I'm going to do.

Alright..Well if it has no puncture wounds that you could open back up in that location then wait and see if it's just bruised and swollen. Chicken bruises turn green.
Im thinking its air between the skin and muscle possibly so waiting is what I'd do..

 

[N ID Goose mom]

Here’s my two cents. I don’t know about poultry medicine but in humans if there is some free air, your body will absorb it. If it was compromising the chicks respiratory system then treat until then I would monitor. If there was an open sucking wound I would recommend a one way valve but since you can’t find a puncture mark just keep him warm, dry, and contained till feeling better.

 

[casportpony]

Could it do damage if I did or didn't do anything?

I don't think so.

If this was your chick, what would you do right now?

If it was mine and was not causing any problems with walking, eating, drinking, or pooping I think I keep an eye on it for 24 hours, but if the chick was causing any problems I would poke a hole in it.

The last two I had with ruptured air sac could not walk properly, so I poked holes in them. If you decide to poke a hole in it, let me know and I can give you instructions.

 

[MelissaRose]

Is the chick breathing normally, or does it seem to be struggling or having a clicking sound with each breath? I had a chick the same age that had a ruptured air sac on his right side from trauma. He clicked and was gasping, so I tried to pull the air out. It is similar to a human having a collapsed lung. If he is is tolerating it, just wait for the air to be reabsorbed by the body.

If he is struggling to breathe, you can use a sterile needle and insert it under the skin. You can then press the air out through the needle, or pull it out with a syringe. An 18 gauge needle is used in older birds, but I only had a 22 gauge, so that is what I used. After I got the air out, I held a clean finger over the needle site for several minutes.

I had to repeat this since the air came back. But it finally stopped. The chick almost appeared limp and dead, but it revived in a few minutes. Some have even used sterilized sewing needles in an emergency. Good luck. Here is a video of a vet deflating a ruptured air sac:

Thanks for the video. He appears to be breathing fine. If he starts having trouble, then I'll probably poke a hole.

 

[MelissaRose]

I don't think so.

If it was mine and was not causing any problems with walking, eating, drinking, or pooping I think I keep an eye on it for 24 hours, but if the chick was causing any problems I would poke a hole in it.

The last two I had with ruptured air sac could not walk properly, so I poked holes in them. If you decide to poke a hole in it, let me know and I can give you instructions.

Ok, I will let you know if I decide to poke a hole. I will probably need instructions.

 

[casportpony]

Ok, I will let you know if I decide to poke a hole. I will probably need instructions.

It's really easy and nothing to be afraid of.

 

[casportpony]

I just did some reading about this condition, and one place implied that not releasing the air could cause the year in the air sac to increase. I have a bunch of stuff to do right now, so I can't investigate, but will ask a couple of friends to check on it.

 

[MelissaRose]

I just did some reading about this condition, and one place implied that not releasing the air could cause the year in the air sac to increase. I have a bunch of stuff to do right now, so I can't investigate, but will ask a couple of friends to check on it.

Ok, thank you

 

[Eggcessive]

We have had a few threads where people have not had to do anything, and the air was reabsorbed by the body within a few days. But one lady from Washington State Whidbey Island had a pullet literally blow up all over right before her eyes, and died. It all depends on how bad the injury was, and if it continues getting larger.