Poor chicken needs help.

Mamachicken64

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May 24, 2022
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We have an isabrown chicken hen 2 years old that has a swollen bottom between her legs. She is still eating and drinking water somewhat. We have given her Epsom salt warm baths, kinda works. I have attached some pictures, she is wet after her bath. She free ranges during the day, but gets tired really fast and stops free ranges. Her bottom is kinda hard, not squishy, and this has been going on for a week now. She has stopped laying also. Thanks for your help. 20220523_184737.jpg
 

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She may be suffering from a reproductive disorder, such as internal laying masses, cancer, or infection. Ascites can be common with all of those. Draining some fluid can be done occasionally to relieve pressure, or to confirm ascites. Is she having any labored breathing? How long ago did she stop laying? I would stop the soaks, and try not to stress her. Offer some moistened chicken feed, scrambled egg bits, and make sure that she is taking water. What do her poops look like?
 
Thank you so much for your response. We thought she was egg bound at first so tried the soaks which she seemed to enjoy, but definitely feel it is something else at this point. We have therefore stopped the baths as it didn't seem to help much. She has been isolated in the dog crate for about 5 days but we noticed some symptoms before that, so not sure how long since she last laid an egg. We have 6 other hens all 2 year old Isa Browns and are getting @3-4 eggs a day.
She had previously had a bout with sour crop about a month before this and we had one other hen that also had it after her.
Keeping her isolated while unsupervised so the others don't pick on her and stress her, but we let them all free range together while supervised. She is definately more interested in seeking out bugs and worms (protiens) than grass and weeds. We have been giving her meal worms and moistened feed and scrambled eggs with shell and some fruit and veggie treats. She will eat a bit of everything, but not a lot and only drinks a bit that we see. Water is in her crate but not sure how much she is drinking. We have been giving her small amounts of 'nutridrench' water via syrenge in mouth to keep hydrated in case she is not drinking enough.
Definitely labored breathing, and she tires quickly while free ranging, so we have her snuggle on our lap or just sit and relax where she pleases. Sometimes a raspy sound to her breathing but not always.
Attaching pics of poops, one from in her crate, we have a low roost for her, and one from outside this evening.
We are prepared to try draining fluid, mentally that is, after doing some research, still need to get a proper needle and syringe, but also seeking any other advise or if there are any experts in our area, central New York (updated zip code on profile) who would be willing to look at her. We tried Cornell University but they won't see her.
 

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