PLEASE HELP! MY CHICK IS LIMPING AND I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO!

[catvader]

my boyfriend and i are first time chicken owners and today, he had a break from work and came home for a bit. we checked on our chicks, they are 4-5 weeks old now, and we noticed one was limping... when we picked her up, we noticed her belly (near her legs & butt) were swollen.... i have pictures to post... please help!

 

[Granny Hatchet]

infection from umbilical mabey? is it soft ?

 

[catvader]

The left side is soft and seems swollen... The big bulge on the right is hard

 

[catvader]

infection from umbilical mabey? is it soft ? 

The left side is soft and seems swollen... The big bulge on the right is hard

 

[catvader]

infection from umbilical mabey? is it soft ? 

Actually... I just felt it again and it is soft... Just not as soft as the left.... At first I thought she had a broken leg...my boyfriend is convinced its a tumor

 

[catvader]

It looks like she has giant testicles... Someone please help!!

 

[Eggcessive]

I can't find anything on this except omphalitis, or mushy chick disease, but your chick seems too old for it. Here is a link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis

 

[Fenika]

It could be a partial hernia, and that is best checked by a vet. Is her vent clear? What do her droppings look like?

Hernias create adhesions and pain and GI blockages, so are not to be played around with.

 

[catvader]

It could be a partial hernia, and that is best checked by a vet. Is her vent clear? What do her droppings look like?

Hernias create adhesions and pain and GI blockages, so are not to be played around with.

Her droppings look normal, and her vent is clear... She's just very swollen and it looks like she has testicles. Im very worried about my little girl <\3

 

[Fenika]

Yep, that really sounds like a hernia. You need a vet. It won't self correct as intestines are trapped there, and will only get worse as the guts become strangled. I would keep an eye on her and get her to a vet who can treat chickens on Monday.