Hen with VERY LARGE abdomen - help!

[the Old Rebel]

I have a crossbreed buff orpington hen who caught my attention today because she looked weak in the eyes. Her tail feathers are drooping. When I picked her up, her abdomen is quite swollen, but not hard, not squishy either, and HOT! She is still picking at food. My husband has been caring for the chickens for a couple of weeks while I was out of town. He hasn't given them any grit. Could this be part of the problem? Should I start her on terramycin? Any and all help will be DEEPLY appreciated. Thanks soooooo much.

 

[Glenda L Heywood]

TERRAMYCIN WILL NOT HELP ANY THING WRONG WITH HER

AS IT BEING A SUPPOSED ANTIBIOTIC ( REALLY NOT MUCH GOOD) AS IT HAS THE EFFECTIVE PART TAKEN OUT IN 1990 WHEN dehec MADE THE COMPANY TAKE IT OFF THE MARKET
THEN WHEN IT CAME BACK ON IT REALLY IS NOT EFFECTIVE

WITH THAT SAID i WOULD IMAGINE THE HEN IS USING THE EGGS INTERNALLY OR HAS A EGG CAUGHT IN THE VENT AREA

OF WHICH HIGH ANTS OF CALCIUM MAY GET THE HEN STARTED TO LAY NORMAL AGAIN

BUT IF EGG BOUND
YOU NEED TO TAKE A EYE DROPPER AND FILL WITH OLIVE OIL AND PUT A EYE DROPPER FULL IN EACH SIDE OF THE VENT
THEN PUSH SOFTLY ON THE BOTTOM OF HER BODY TO DRAW THE EGG TO THE VENT AREA

WITH THE SEEING OF THE EGG THEN TAKE A NEEDLE AND PUT HOLE IN EGG SHELL
WITH SYRINGE DRAW OUT THE YOLK AND WHITE
AND THEN TAKE A LARGE TWIZERS AND GENTLY PULL all THE EGG SHELL OUT OF THE VENT

THEN TAKE AND PUT TWO EYE DROPPERS OF OIL BACK IN THE VENT

sorry this is in caps I did not look to see it was on caps
I have to go so will let this go for now
email me if nore is needed PM me
I will check back this evening on this

 

[the Old Rebel]

Thanks for your help.

I have had hens that were eggbound before. They stood straight up like a penguin. She isn't doing that. Do you still think she could be egg bound?

I thought that trying to get an egg out could kill them. Is this true?? She is one of my really good hens. I would hate to lose her.

Should I keep food in front of her or fast her for a day or two??

I appreciate any help I can get.

 

[chickenhick]

When you say abdomen, do you mean her belly? or her crop? or her vent area?

 

[the Old Rebel]

I am talking about the area directly behind the breastbone on the bottom of the bird. It is swollen like a big ball all the way to the vent area.

Also, sometimes she looks like she is gasping for air although she makes no sound. She just opens and closes her beak like she needs air. Her comb and wattles get dark, sorta purplish. Is this heart failure??

 

[chickenhick]

Could be a tumor, could also be internal egg laying. How are her poops? You say it is hot? Do you see any evidence of an infection under her skin? Is there any cuts or sores?

 

[the Old Rebel]

No, there are no cuts or tears. She seems perky today, but still swollen. I suspect internal laying. If that is the case, there isn't anything I can do, right??

I had a hen that died with cancer. That was a big ball too, but it was hard. This one is neither hard nor squishy. It gives a little when I press on it, which I don't do very often to keep from making her situation worse.

If anyone knows what else might be wrong, PLEASE let me know.

If Terramycin doesn't work, would sulmet do any good??

Thanks!