Our daughter's favorite chicken (out of 44) is sick. Please help me save her!

[Silkie Princess]

Which expert are we waiting for?

Wyorp Rock. She's one of the best

 

[counterWULF]

Here is a video on how to drain water belly in a hen:

Please note that this is not curing her illness, but only bringing some short relief.

Watching this video now. Thanks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Can you insert a clean or gloved finger into her vent to check for a stuck egg? Pictures of the vent and lower belly and droppings could be helpful. Ascites or water belly which can be caused by several conditions, causes yellow fluid to develop inside the abdominal cavity. Does your hen’s lower belly feel enlarged and spongy, firm or tight? Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis are other conditions that may cause enlarged belly.

 

[counterWULF]

Can you insert a clean or gloved finger into her vent to check for a stuck egg? Pictures of the vent and lower belly and droppings could be helpful. Ascites or water belly which can be caused by several conditions, causes yellow fluid to develop inside the abdominal cavity. Does your hen’s lower belly feel enlarged and spongy, firm or tight? Internal laying and egg yolk peritonitis are other conditions that may cause enlarged belly.

It feels like a water balloon. Soft and squishy, but full. Nothing hard. Nothing that feels like an egg. I can find her bones under there, and everything south of the bones feels exactly the same all the way back and around her vent. I believe it is water belly and we'll be draining the fluid as soon as my family gets home from Tractor Supply with the needle and syringe. Is it OK to stick your finger into the vent? We've never had to do that before. I have books that talks about the stuck egg, but none of them say to stick your finger into the vent to check. I'll go look for some videos that show people doing this to learn and have as another option.

 

[counterWULF]

@Wyorp Rock I was told you are the expert. I wonder what you think we should do.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Nah, I'm not an expert.
Looks like you have been given good suggestions. I agree, it does sound like Ascites, but as mentioned, it's a symptom...so there's an underlying condition. Whether it's reproductive related and/or organ dysfunction, it would be hard to know unless you lose her and have a necropsy performed.

Draining the fluid is an option. It may make her more comfortable, but draining is not a cure. Whatever is causing the fluid to build up is still there. There are risks when draining. You can introduce bacteria through the needle stick and infection set in. Draining too much fluid too fast can send the hen into shock or cardiac arrest.

Consider getting a fecal float to see if worms and Coccidiosis may be part of the problem as well.

Some folks have been able to help hens for a period of time by giving an Aloe Detox. Again, not a cure, but a way to help manage symptoms after some of the fluid has been drained. It's not uncommon for fluid to build back up, so draining may be needed again.

I'm sorry she's not well. Hopefully some of these measures will at least make her more comfortable for a period of time.

 

[counterWULF]

We followed the advice from the video on draining the water belly. We got it all out yesterday and she was trying to eat and drink and walk slowly for a day. I took her outside to be in the sun and fresh air, and to be around her "sisters." She saw a bunch of hens taking dirt baths and she mustered up enough energy to take the needed steps to get over and lay in the dirt among them. Sadly, Susan chicken passed about an hour ago. Thanks to everyone who wrote to assist.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you for the update. I am sorry you lost her.

 

[smdcleland]

Oh no, I'm so sorry. At least you helped her feel better during her last days.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry for your loss.