Is she on the way out? Swollen, off her food and not moving much :(

[Jessica01]

Continuing on from an earlier thread, one of my girls is going downhill. She an ex-battery hen and was the slowest to recover after the cages but she's tough and has been doing really well until recently. She's probably around 3.

Her symptoms are a swollen belly (waterballoon like) and isn't eating, drinking or moving around much. This is day 3 of her being unwell.

I have given her two epsom baths and managed to get her to eat and drink a little on day 1 and 2 - including olive oil and vitamin water and she perked up a bit afterwards. Today though, she's not interested and just sitting all puffed up in her nest.

She'll let me handle her without protest so there doesn't seem to be specific pain but I've read they hide it well so I'm not sure . I checked to see if I could feel an egg (definitely harder on me than it was on her) but nothing. She's safe and warm and doesn't appear stressed. Anything else we can do for her? Is she likely to be suffering?

The vet is a last resort but one we will do tomorrow if nothing changes. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[nakdash]

Sounds like my hen!! I'll be following this post.

 

[bobbi-j]

My guess would be ascites, EYP or internal laying - all of which are (I believe) eventually fatal. My first chicken with ascites, I left alone for a few days, hoping she'd get better. She didn't. She died an uncomfortable death. The next one we put down immediately so she wouldn't suffer any longer than necessary. The problem with hens that are bred to lay as many eggs as possible in as short of a time as possible, is they are more prone to reproductive tract issues. Even if you get a vet to drain fluid off her abdomen, she's likely to get it again and again.

 

[Thing2]

Search "ascites". Does that fit her symptoms? My sister has a hen with ascites who's lived for years with her condition, but she was already past laying when it first developed. Hope this helps!

 

[Jessica01]

My guess would be ascites, EYP or internal laying - all of which are (I believe) eventually fatal. My first chicken with ascites, I left alone for a few days, hoping she'd get better. She didn't. She died an uncomfortable death. The next one we put down immediately so she wouldn't suffer any longer than necessary. The problem with hens that are bred to lay as many eggs as possible in as short of a time as possible, is they are more prone to reproductive tract issues. Even if you get a vet to drain fluid off her abdomen, she's likely to get it again and again.

Thanks for the reply. I thought Ascites might be the cause. Doesn't sound like EYP (but I'm basing that on very little). I hate to think of her suffering because we've not been proactive so we'll take her in to the vet tomorrow. Will update on her condition.

Just out of interest, do you put them down yourself?

 

[bobbi-j]

Thanks for the reply. I thought Ascites might be the cause. Doesn't sound like EYP (but I'm basing that on very little). I hate to think of her suffering because we've not been proactive so we'll take her in to the vet tomorrow. Will update on her condition.

Just out of interest, do you put them down yourself?

We do, but I realize that's not for everyone. We use the hatchet and stump method because we feel it's the most humane. Death is instant and it's all over with in a matter of seconds. Cervical dislocation is another popular method of instant death. I just haven't used that one. Those who have say it's not hard to do. As far as being proactive, I don't think there is anything you could have done to prevent it.

 

[Jessica01]

Update if you're following: we took our girl into the vet this morning and had her put down. She was really, really unwell so it was the kindest thing. Thanks for your advice on diagnosis, great to have a forum to turn to!

 

[Jessica01]

We do, but I realize that's not for everyone. We use the hatchet and stump method because we feel it's the most humane. Death is instant and it's all over with in a matter of seconds. Cervical dislocation is another popular method of instant death. I just haven't used that one. Those who have say it's not hard to do. As far as being proactive, I don't think there is anything you could have done to prevent it.

We did look into doing it ourselves but decided to leave it to the professionals this time. Thanks for your help and messages, been really nice to get some advice. All the best with your flock!

 

[ronott1]

It could be tumors too at 3 years old

 

[nakdash]

I’m so sorry for your loss.