It looks like possible internal laying and probably ascites judging by the swelling below her vent and between her legs. This is where egg yolks released from the ovary drop into the abdominal cavity instead of travelling into the oviduct. It is unfortunately a common problem in hens. The yolks build up in the bottom of the abdominal cavity as she ovulates each day and pressure of them starts to squeeze the fluid out of them as well as putting a strain on her heart lungs and intestines. The fluid drops to the bottom of the cavity and the yolks which become almost "cooked" lie/float on top. She is probably spending time in the nest box because she knows an egg should be coming out, but may also just be resting in there.
There is no way for the fluid or egg yolks to get out as they are outside of the intestines, so the problem just keeps getting worse. The prognosis is not good although they can survive for several months and if they stop ovulating during moult and winter, they usually improve a little until the following spring when they resume ovulating.
If I am right, she will benefit from the fluid being drained off as this will give her, more or less, instant relief. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about the mass of egg yolks inside her and eventually it will either become infected or she will have organ failure from the pressure of them. The fluid will build back up and need regular draining but we are near moulting season, so if you can buy her a month or so by draining her, she should last the winter.
To drain you can either take her to a vet or do it yourself. There are You Tube videos showing you how to do it.....look up draining ascites or water belly. Make sure you sanitize her belly with an antibacterial product like chlorohexidine before you start because you don't want to introduce an infection into her during the draining process. A gauge 16 needle is what most people use.
Good luck with her
Barbara
There is no way for the fluid or egg yolks to get out as they are outside of the intestines, so the problem just keeps getting worse. The prognosis is not good although they can survive for several months and if they stop ovulating during moult and winter, they usually improve a little until the following spring when they resume ovulating.
If I am right, she will benefit from the fluid being drained off as this will give her, more or less, instant relief. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about the mass of egg yolks inside her and eventually it will either become infected or she will have organ failure from the pressure of them. The fluid will build back up and need regular draining but we are near moulting season, so if you can buy her a month or so by draining her, she should last the winter.
To drain you can either take her to a vet or do it yourself. There are You Tube videos showing you how to do it.....look up draining ascites or water belly. Make sure you sanitize her belly with an antibacterial product like chlorohexidine before you start because you don't want to introduce an infection into her during the draining process. A gauge 16 needle is what most people use.
Good luck with her
Barbara
