One year old Dominique, unsteady gate, lethargic, swollen abdomen

[M-machine]

This hen at my workplace flock was acting egg bound a week ago (lethargic, isolated, squatting awkwardly) so we gave her a couple epson salt baths which seemed to perk her back up. Then a few days later she didn’t come back to roost and I found her wedged face down under a bush with her vent area covered in feces, flies, and maggots. I took her home, cleaned her up, and noticed her lower abdomen seemed unusually swollen and firm. I lubed up and did an internal exam of her vent but couldn’t feel any egg or blockage. I thought perhaps the swelling was water belly so I attempted to drain it but couldn’t aspirate any fluid. She has perked up and is eating, drinking, and defecating normally, but the swelling remains and she is unsteady on her feet and reluctant to move around much. At this point I’m at a loss and thinking maybe tumor? I would appreciate it if anyone had experienced this before and had advice!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Welcome To BYC

Does she still have any maggots on her?

Has she laid eggs recently?

What's her poop like?

The swelling of the abdomen may be something going on reproductive. Perhaps EYP, Internal Laying, Salpingitis (Lash), etc.

If she were mine, I'd start by giving her 300mg Calcium Citrate+D3 once daily for 5days. In addition to the Calcium, I'd also give her 400IU Vitamin E and 1/4tablet B-Complex for a few weeks. See if this helps. Calcium is to see if she expels any material, the E and B-Complex are for balance/leg support.

Do look in her ears to make sure there's no infection; this can cause balance problems too.