Please Help, Venus has a huge lump between her legs.

[ruth]

Hi Kim - that's EXACTLY how my two year old Black Sex Link gets about every two to three months. I use a needle/syringe and drain the watery fluid from the "balloon" and she's good to go for another two to three months. She will feel so much better if you get that pressure off her. Just insert a needle in bottom of bag that's hanging down. There are no vital organs there and you can't hurt her. If you can't draw out any fluid, pick another spot. I'm betting she's full of fluid. Could also be an internal layer but it doesn't hurt to try a syringe first.

Best of luck. My hen has been filling with fluid (Ascites) for several months. I now watch and drain her before she gets too big. But she lays an egg every day so I know she's not an internal layer.

 

[Ms Ellen]

It looks just like my hen that died today. When I opened her up there were eggs all over in her abdomen. Poor thing. I guess nothing would have saved her but surgery. Maybe draining the fluid would help for awhile. I think it is happening now because this time of year they lay more so this is when it gets worse for them.

 

[Smitty's Farm]

I want to thank everyone for their kind & helpful words. I really appreciate it.

Venus is feeling much better. She is still isolated and hasn't laid an egg. I'm not sure if she was even laying prior to getting sick, b/c she just finished a mild molt and the majority of my older hens were on strike.

Thank you Ruth for the pm to. I checked my kit and do not have the needle syringe, just reg needles, so I have not attempted to drain her yet.

Laskaland ..... internal laying seems to be happening more frequent now w/ hatchery chickens of any breed. Typically it might happen if they are 3 yrs old or older, but seems to be happening to them a little younger now.

Ms Ellen I am so sorry about the loss of your chicken.

Moody..Thanks!!! I will try to pm you later. I'm curious about the meds you talked about giving your.

I will keep everyone updated.

If anyone else has any input please throw it my way.

Thanks!!!!
Kim

 

[ruth]

Hi Kim - not sure what you are calling regular needle vs needle syringe. You only need the type of needle with a syringe that you would use to give shots/meds. Just do the reverse - insert needle into skin in bottom of bag (with plunger fully depressed) and then pull back on plunger and see if you can withdraw fluid. The small needles work fine but if it's fluid the ones with the larger syringe work better because they hold more fluid and you won't have to stick her as many times.

My hen will actually eat food if I put it in front of her while I work on her so I know it doesn't hurt her one bit but if she squirms, try putting a towel over her head to keep her quiet and still. If its fluid, she will probably start to drain on her own once you made a few holes in her. If so, you can just leave her on some towels to drain. The first time I drained my hen I got over a cup of fluid out of her and she drained on her own for another hour and completely soaked through two folded towels. She's been fine ever since with an occasional draining every two to three months.

 

[Laskaland]

How is Venus doing today?

 

[tenfairytoes]

I have a week old chick with this. Blue orpington. I am so freaked out. It's oblong in shape and about an inch by 1/2 inch and it's slightly hard inside but moves around. I thought the chick was just extra fat until


I examined it. She's acting normal and eating drinking and jumping around. It has gotten larger. Now the chick walks and sits and walks and sits.