Hen possibly water belly? Crying out

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Alright. As I'm reading. I'm wondering if our feed from the mill may be our main issue- will settle that soon.

Came home and heard a horrible cry from coop. (Working on video upload)

Have her inside at moment. Was going to try to give calcium but she won't swallow. Crop is barely there. Tail down. Hand full backside under rear. No egg feeling.

All the reading we are doing, it's just her? Or is it feed, or too cold? It's been a roller coaster here, hot cold, snow sun.

I'm just at a loss, except liver, could be too much corn which yes our feed is corn based with 20%protien and supposed to be up to standard.

 

[nuthatched]

Corn based feed is not harmful, its balanced.
How old is she?

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Almost 2. But we have lost 2 recently to egg bound/liver issues. I know I'm grasping at straws but damnit lol

ETA other 2 did not have same symptoms at all.

Son is confident if we can get a needle we can try to drain.

 

[nuthatched]

Almost 2. But we have lost 2 recently to egg bound/liver issues. I know I'm grasping at straws but damnit lol

ETA other 2 did not have same symptoms at all.

Son is confident if we can get a needle we can try to drain.

Is there calcium in the feed? Is this a whole grain feed or pellets?

 

[StinkyAcres]

The "cry" is wheezing from a respiratory issue. She is gasping for air. Any discharge from her nose or eyes?

 

[nuthatched]

The "cry" is wheezing from a respiratory issue. She is gasping for air. Any discharge from her nose or eyes?

I'm wondering if there's an internal hernia

 

[StinkyAcres]

It's possible the fluid in her abdomen is putting pressure on her lungs and that's why she's having trouble breathing. If she has no other respiratory signs and you have compared her abdomen to the other hens and have confirmed it is swollen you can try to drain it. But know that it is often only a temporary treatment and the fluid will likely come back.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

No: discharge. No other respiratory issues. She feels different than others. No others are making any similar sounds.

Oyster shell and egg shell on side. She did just come out of a molt, she was one of last ones to molt, like in last couple-ish weeks(sorry bc of life issues at home the days are merging more than normal)

And yes: know temporary treatment with draining.

Pic was from earlier. Kid and I decided to bring her in. Have her mash that she pecked at some.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Came home and heard a horrible cry from coop. (Working on video upload)

Have her inside at moment. Was going to try to give calcium but she won't swallow. Crop is barely there. Tail down. Hand full backside under rear. No egg feeling.

Son is confident if we can get a needle we can try to drain.

No other respiratory issues. She feels different than others. No others are making any similar sounds.

Sounds like she's suffering from Stridor which is when something gets into the airway - mucous, dust, aspiration of fluids, some stuck food, etc.

Usually Stridor will resolve on its own within 24hrs.

Can you look inside the beak for obstruction or canker?

Are you VERY certain that she has fluid in the abdomen? She feels "different" than the others - is the abdomen really FULL feeling like a tight drum, like it is full of fluid?

Anytime I've ever had Ascites (Water Belly) in a hen, they did not make much noise except for a gurgle sound (like fluid) when they breath, breathing was usually shallow and labored.

If you are absolutely certain draining is necessary, try it, but do consider that draining can be stressful. You can introduce bacterial at the needle stick site and if too much fluid is drained at once, it's possible to send the bird into cardiac arrest and lose them.

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Last night it was soft, almost liquidy yet firm.

This morning went to get a better feel and she pooped a large splash when I barely squeezed.

I couldn't see anything in throat or airway.

I did give calcium+ last night. Dewormed this morning.

Maybe egg bound further up in system and it's pushing on innards.

*I've gotta stop using yellow towels lol