Hen with swollen vent and abdomen walks like a penguin..

[Faverollesarefun]

My hen has been showing symptoms of being egg bound, but I can’t feel an egg. Treatment ideas??? Any ideas of what it could be??? I don’t know how to help her. She’s a bit lethargic, but still goes and eats with the rest at feeding time.

 

[nuthatched]

Hmm, how old is she? What is her diet and breed? It could be a reproductive issue.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

I’m not quite sure with the age, she’s a barred rock. Diet right now is layer feed and kitchen scraps. She’s never had this issue before.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Pictures of the bird in question? Description of symptoms sounds like Water Belly(Ascites).

 

[Faverollesarefun]

 

[MysteryChicken]

View attachment 3748831

Looks like water belly, which is a chronic condition that has many different causes.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

What can I do to help that? What are some of the causes?

 

[MysteryChicken]

What can I do to help that? What are some of the causes?

It's not curable, but can be managed by draining periodically to keep the hen comfortable. But generally it's best to put them down.

Heart disease/failure, Fatty Liver Disease, liver problems, Reproductive disorders, & cancer are common causes.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

I’ve been looking at symptoms of water belly and she doesn’t have the purple tinted comb, and she’s not panting at all. She will eat some but her appetite has gone down. Her droppings are very small and watery. She seems a little more lethargic, but still walks away from me when I try to grab her. She seems uncomfortable, walking a few steps every so often or shifting weight.

 

[Faverollesarefun]

She is kind of pulling her head in and fluffing up her neck feathers as well