Hen has wide stance, slow, less active, squishy stomach area.

[Aae]

My hen panner has a wider, squatting stance compared to the other hens. It's subtle but she's waddling a bit. She is 2 or 3 years old.

She seems a little slow, even when she runs she falls behind the other hens. She's been laying down more frequently. She's gained weight but its possibly water weight. She has had bubbles in her eyes often previously but I haven't seen them recently.

Where the photo highlights the intestine area is where I felt to make sure she wasn't eggbound, the area is very squishy like there's water under the skin. I felt the other hens and most felt tight in this area, only one other hen felt like Panner. The other hen seems perfectly healthy and active.

I've read up on water belly and it doesn't seem like thats the case, but I won't rule it out.

 

[coach723]

It sounds like she probably has a reproductive problem. Do you know when she last laid?
It could be infection like salpingitis, internal laying, a cancer, or internal laying. Ascites or water belly can accompany those conditions. Ascites is from a liver that is over worked or failing, which causes fluid to collect in the abdomen. With reproductive problems, tumors, or infectious matter can build in their abdomens. The stuff in the abdomen causes the wide legged stance and waddle. Sometimes a very fatty abdomen can be confused with water, and a large amount of fat can contribute to fatty liver disease and liver failure. In general, the symptoms don't bode well for a positive long term outlook. The definite answer is often not known until necropsy, unfortunately, since the symptoms can be very similar.

 

[Aae]

It sounds like she probably has a reproductive problem. Do you know when she last laid?
It could be infection like salpingitis, internal laying, a cancer, or internal laying. Ascites or water belly can accompany those conditions. Ascites is from a liver that is over worked or failing, which causes fluid to collect in the abdomen. With reproductive problems, tumors, or infectious matter can build in their abdomens. The stuff in the abdomen causes the wide legged stance and waddle. Sometimes a very fatty abdomen can be confused with water, and a large amount of fat can contribute to fatty liver disease and liver failure. In general, the symptoms don't bode well for a positive long term outlook. The definite answer is often not known until necropsy, unfortunately, since the symptoms can be very similar.

The last I know for sure she laid was a few days ago. I haven't seen her in the nesting boxes but I haven't paid a close eye, I will today

 

[coach723]

Usually with a reproductive problem they will stop laying, or may lay abnormal eggs. Any illness can put them off laying. If she lays in the next few days, update. If it's fat (it's very hard to say when I can't feel it) then fatty liver disease could cause the fluid to build up. Heart failure also can. Again, symptoms can be very similar so it can be hard to pin down the root cause. Other things to check are her crop function, is it full, hard, soft and squishy, empty, etc. It should be empty first thing in the morning before access to food and water. If it's not emptying over night then that is also a sign that something may be slowing her digestive tract down. Also, what do droppings look like? Normal or not. Pictures are always welcome and sometimes helpful.

 

[Aae]

Usually with a reproductive problem they will stop laying, or may lay abnormal eggs. Any illness can put them off laying. If she lays in the next few days, update. If it's fat (it's very hard to say when I can't feel it) then fatty liver disease could cause the fluid to build up. Heart failure also can. Again, symptoms can be very similar so it can be hard to pin down the root cause. Other things to check are her crop function, is it full, hard, soft and squishy, empty, etc. It should be empty first thing in the morning before access to food and water. If it's not emptying over night then that is also a sign that something may be slowing her digestive tract down. Also, what do droppings look like? Normal or not. Pictures are always welcome and sometimes helpful.

All her droppings that I've seen recently (2 or 3 poos) have been white and very watery. She's doing worse today, she didn't even come eat corn like she normally would. I think she might have been laying down under the coop all day. Her bottom feathers have poo stuck to them but it doesn't look dry. When I made her come out of the coop she went and drank a LOT of water but went back under the coop and wouldn't come out for corn.

 

[Aae]

bump

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When I made her come out of the coop she went and drank a LOT of water but went back under the coop and wouldn't come out for corn.

@coach723 gave you good suggestions, from your description, I agree it sounds like your hen may be suffering from a reproductive disorder.
You mention she drank a lot of water, I would feel the crop now, then first thing in the morning to see if it's empty before she eats/drinks again.

 

[Aae]

@coach723 gave you good suggestions, from your description, I agree it sounds like your hen may be suffering from a reproductive disorder.
You mention she drank a lot of water, I would feel the crop now, then first thing in the morning to see if it's empty before she eats/drinks again.

I will. I'm also giving her a bit of bread with olive oil and tums on/in it, someone said it could be the start of being eggbound so it cant hurt to try.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I will. I'm also giving her a bit of bread with olive oil and tums on/in it, someone said it could be the start of being eggbound so it cant hurt to try.

Is she pooping?
If you think she might be egg bound, it would be a good idea to feel inside the vent for an egg.

 

[Aae]

Is she pooping?
If you think she might be egg bound, it would be a good idea to feel inside the vent for an egg.

I did and didn't feel any egg, she is pooping.