Nutridrench - how much/how often for an adult hen

[Eggcessive]

If her belly is tight like a drum from fluid, draining some occasionally could help relieve pressure to help ease labored breathing, and might relieve pain. Relieving the pressure in theory, then might allow the digestive tract to function, if there has been a crop slowdown. Here is a picture from Casportpony of a tight abdomen being drained with an 18 gauge needle:

 

[TLWR]

Went out and picked up needles/syringe tonight. Will drain off fluid in the morning when we can see

 

[Eggcessive]

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Eggcessive]

If her belly is not tight and full like the picture above, it may not be necessary to drain her yet. When my hens have suffered from fullness in their lower bellies, I have never drained one. Most of the time, we don’t really know the origin of their enlarged abdomen until they die and we do a home necropsy to look at their organs. I have had several with ascites upon necropsy, one from cancer, one from possible fatty liver disease, and at least one unknown. None laid eggs and all were over 2-3 years old.

That said, when people ask what can be done, I usually mention that some do attempt to drain their hens, and give them information on how to do it. I don’t tell people to do it, since I believe in just letting the hen die naturally, or I put them down to end their suffering. I know how to drain, but I just choose to put them down. Draining is an option, and it may give them some time, but it will not save their lives. Some chickens have died after draining, so it is not a risk-free procedure. Some do it often on their chickens. So, I am just telling you that you are not a bad chicken owner if you choose not to drain her. I just wanted to explain my thoughts.

The fluid should be yellow or amber. If the fluid is clear and color-less, that may be a different condition than ascites, called systic right oviduct. Let us know how she gets along.

 

[TLWR]

It was totally not the right color at all. We had to stop after about 18 ounces or so as I was about to throw up. She is walking a bit easier, but I put her back in the bird house since it is raining here today. She seemed content to stay there.

Even with it not being what we expected, I figured if we do nothing, it won't end well for her and likely soon, so we just went ahead and pulled off some fluid. Hopefully it helps her feel better and allows her an appetite back. Figured I'd let her chill a bit and then head out with some scrambled eggs or egg yolk for her and maybe I'll share a grape.
She did a big ol nasty liquidy poop once she was back on the ground after we were done.

Thanks for the videos and suggestions. Hopefully it helps her out for a while.

 

[Eggcessive]

That sure sounds like a lot of fluid. Was it the color of the towel? She must have been huge. Give her some Poultry NutriDrench today if you have some. Get her drinking some water as well. I hope she feels better.

 

[TLWR]

It was dark and what is on the towel is what leaked out as we were emptying the syringe while keeping the needle in. The bottle is clear on the bottom.

We have nutridrench, so we'll give her some of that later this morning as well.

 

[TLWR]

Hazel just died in my arms. I brought her in to clean up her underside. She'd been sitting in front of the chicken door watching it rain all day.
Seems like she's been leaking still since she was wet underneath and her belly had gone down more. I was going to put her in the greenhouse with some yummy stuff to try to get her to eat, but she died in my arms before I could get her out there to try.

Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

 

[casportpony]

I am very sorry for your loss. Are you up to doing a necropsy?

 

[TLWR]

No, she is buried already. Based on the color of the fluid we pulled out, I can only guess it was bad and too far along to try to do anything.