Hen with Swollen Belly

[NHChickengirl]

 

[NHChickengirl]

She almost 2 years old and just started with a swollen belly. What can I do for her?

 

[Sue Gremlin]

Ooh, that does not look good at all. I would be sure she is not egg bound. Is she defecating and laying eggs?

 

[NHChickengirl]

I am not sure. I brought her inside and right now she is sitting in the tub in warm water. She is actually letter me hold her against the tub almost like I am hugging her.

 

[hollys chooks]

Let her get nice and relaxed. I've got one hen who gets egg bound now and then and about 20 minutes in the bath then gently dry her and keep her in a warm, quiet room in a closed cardboard box with nesting material. It has always helped her.
However I have had another hen die from being egg bound as infection set in.
Hope your girl gets well.

 

[NHChickengirl]

Thanks Holly that is what we plan on doing.. Her comb is still bright and not saggy so I am taking that as a positive sign

 

[NHChickengirl]

If she is egg bound is that what her belly would look like?

 

[hollys chooks]

She looks a bit red, which I have only noticed on my hen with peritonitis. But if she has been sitting on her belly it could get a bit red too.

 

[NHChickengirl]

What treatment would be for that? She is now walking around the tub and did a nice normal poop..

 

[hollys chooks]

If she has peritonitis - a serious infection that would need treating by a vet - then she will look unwell, she won't move much and won't eat much, she'll be in pain. (which are similar symptoms to egg bound)
The normal looking poop is a good sign, my hen with peritonitis did very watery poops, no normal ones. Bright comb is also a good sign. How is her general behaviour?