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.
Are you up to doing a necropsy?
