Lethargic chicken, egg bound or worse

[bjm287]

Hello
I doubt I can save her anymore but maybe someone knows.
Last night I found a leghorn chicken huddled under the coop. It was 900 at night and everyone but her had gone to bed. She was very ruffled up and looked ill.
She is just about a year old and had a sour crop a few months ago but has been healthy since. Yesterday morning she ate and drank with the rest of the flock like normal.
When I brought her in I offered food and water. She ate willingly and drank a tiny amount.
I dont think she is egg bound since my vent inspection didn't feel anything. We gave her 2 warm baths last night and thus morning.
Her stomach is very wide and hard not squishy at all.
If there is anything I can do I will but I am also prepared she may die.
Thank you

 

[Aapomp831]

@Eggcessive

 

[Eggcessive]

She could have ascites (water belly) or be swollen from internal laying or cancer. Most times it is hard to know until after death when a necropsy can be done. Usually they don’t live long with such a swollen belly. You can try to remove some fluid to make her more comfortable, or put her down if she seems to be suffering. Ascites fluid is yellow, and when a necropsy is done, if yellow fluid comes out of the abdominal wall, that is ascites. Cancer, fatty liver disease, egg yolk peritonitis, and heart failure are some of the diseases that can lead to ascites.

 

[bjm287]

She could have ascites (water belly) or be swollen from internal laying or cancer. Most times it is hard to know until after death when a necropsy can be done. Usually they don’t live long with such a swollen belly. You can try to remove some fluid to make her more comfortable, or put her down if she seems to be suffering. Ascites fluid is yellow, and when a necropsy is done, if yellow fluid comes out of the abdominal wall, that is ascites. Cancer, fatty liver disease, egg yolk peritonitis, and heart failure are some of the diseases that can lead to ascites.

This is kind of what I was fearing.. her belly is very hard so I think she may have internal lay since of 3 leghirns I only get a white egg or 2 every few days (the rest of my birds lay brown)

 

[humblehillsfarm]

This is kind of what I was fearing.. her belly is very hard so I think she may have internal lay since of 3 leghirns I only get a white egg or 2 every few days (the rest of my birds lay brown)

What was the outcome for your hen?

 

[bjm287]

What was the outcome for your hen?

Unfortunately she passed away a few hours later. We are considering cutting her open to find out but not sure. I believe she had internal laying because there where 2 hard lumps that felt egg shaped.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Unfortunately she passed away a few hours later. We are considering cutting her open to find out but not sure. I believe she had internal laying because there where 2 hard lumps that felt egg shaped.

I’m sorry to hear that.

 

[bjm287]

I’m sorry to hear that.

I appreciate that. We were prepared and she passed quickly and didn't seem to suffer long for which we were thankful