Hen with swollen/bloated bottom

[Hen Health]

I have a prairie bluebell hen who is 3 years old & has developed a bloated bottom/vent area. She is eating & drinking normally, but walks with a wider stance due to the bloating. I soaked her in a warm epsom salt bath for 20 minutes yesterday, but it does not seem to have helped. Has anyone encountered this before?

A few more details…she laid a ferry egg several weeks ago & stopped laying after that. She showed minor signs of an impacted crop which I treated & got her through around the same time. I just suspected she was done laying or slowing down drastically in her third year. I will soak her again, but if anyone has any suggestions I’d appreciate it!

 

[townchicks]

Swollen abdomen can be caused by a variety of things. Internal egg laying, egg yolk peritonitis, cancer or heart disease. The impacted crop could be related, if a blockage internally caused a slowdown in the food passing. Some human calcium with vit D might help her pass any egg material. If a vet is an option, they might be able to narrow it down for you.

 

[Eggcessive]

Welcome to BYC. I agree with townchicks. I would try the human calcium with d3 about 600 mg or a Tums broken in two, and pooped into her beak to swallow. That can help if she is egg bound or trying to pass a soft egg or lash egg. I would skip any more soaks. Do you have a picture of her and what her poop looks like? Is she eating and drinking?

 

[Hen Health]

She is eating & drinking normally. I will get a picture later today. Her poop looks normal. I’m hoping the calcium works, thank you!