Older chicken with swollen abdomen

[janf1914]

I have a 6 year old chicken that has a swollen abdomen. This just came up in the last week or so so I know that she's not just fat. She hasn't laid in about a year so I don't think she's eggbound. She's not moving around much and when she does she gets tired easily - breathing with her mouth open. She's waddling like a penguin. She is eating. Gave her food yesterday and she ate quite a bit. She's outside now and picks at the occasional piece grass but isn' t really foraging and isn't scratching at all. She's poopinf fine although her stools are a little yellower than normal - not runny though. Anyone have any ideas what might be going on here?

- Jan

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Given her age, it could be Ascites (water belly) or Peritonitis where the abdomen fills with fluid. The fluid can put pressure/strain on internal organs and cause breathing problems. There is no cure, some people do drain the abdomen with a needle (I believe 18gauge). Ascites would drain as more clear liquid while Peritonitis will be thick yellow liquid.


http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/6-causes-of-chicken-swollen-abdomen.aspx
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1074049/chicken-abdomen-like-water-balloon#post_16400670
http://luckyhensrescuenorthwest.weebly.com/egg-bound-henegg-peritonitis-help-sheet.html

 

[janf1914]

Thanks. Yes, this looks like possibly what's going on. Going to keep an eye on her for the next few days and see if she perks up. Not sure I' m up to draining her abdomen and we don't have a poultry vet in the area ( not that I would be able to afford it if I did).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I hope she starts doing better.
Keep us updated.