I have a swollen up 2-month old hen?!

[Chickenunsernam]

Hi everyone.

So I noticed one of my chicks was looking much bigger than the others and when I grabbed her I noticed how swollen her underside, her chest, and neck were. The area feel very soft as if they are full of liquid, yet she seems absolutely fine and she's eating very well.

None of the other chicks have it and I have no idea what it is. It's like balls of liquid or something and so she looks all puffed up and big.


Does anyone have any idea what this could be???

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she have air under skin that can happen with a leaking air sac? Or could it be a very full crop which is located in the upper right chest of chickens? Crops get large after eating and drinking, then go down over time. How old is the chick? Can you feel other chicks’ chests to compare them to hers?

 

[Chickenunsernam]

she's a little over two months and the other chicks are absolutely fine. I was reading up and wondering if it could be ascites where fluid builds up from a failing liver into the rest of the body. It looks like fluid and I'm wondering If I should try to bore a tiny hole and see if fluiddoes come out or not but this is a pretty risky idea....

 

[Eggcessive]

I would not do that. Chicks that age seldon get ascites. Can you post some pictures?

 

[Chickenunsernam]

Yeah- I didn't do it, but on closer examination it looked more like it was air. Underneath and between her legs is swollen and whenever she moves her leg I can see her bone moving under her skin. I'll try to post pics and take her to the vet this week to see what's going on. But I'd still like your opinion on something like this....whatever it is...