HELP!! not sure what is happening to my 15 week-old 'chick'.

[oxfordhens]

One of my 15 week-old chick has started sitting down a lot. At first I thought it was due to a growth spurt but 3 days on I am getting very concerned. Her feet look VERY large. When i felt them tonight they were very warm and 'spongy' as in swollen. I also noticed a large red protuberance around the chest/abdomen, it is hard to tell. Is it normal? Her crest is still very red and her eyes very bright. I have seen her drinking and eating. We have 5 other hens and I would not want a possible disease to spread. Please HELP if you know what this could be. Either way, I will be heading off to the vet tomorrrow. (It is night time here) Many thanks!

 

[damselfish]

I don't know about the feet.

Protuberance on chest could just be her normal crop...but do you mean it's red as in red skin? That would not be normal.

Welcome to BYC and hopefully someone else will be along with more ideas.

 

[threehorses]

Can you please answer the questions in the second sticky in this forum, but answer them here in this thread? That helps set up a flock history to help us more accurately help you.

IN the mean time, the thing on her chest - would you say it's like a sore, like a blister, does it have any contents? Air inside? Fluid? Is it just where her keel bone is? Is she a heavy bird? What is their bedding like, and has it been raining? Does she roost at night?

Can you give us a picture of any of the problems with her?

There are a number of things that cause a bird to squat. So the answers to your flock history questions will be of great importance.

Thank you, and we look forward to your reply and will do our best.