Possible water belly- what's my next move?

[ditzyanne]

Well, early this week I came to the conclusion that I need to downsize my flock, mostly by moving the assorted layers along. So of course, this evening I finally get to spend a little time with them, and see this (see photo) on one of the Easter eggers I had planned to seek a new home for.

Am I looking at water belly (ascites)? She's moving well, only breathing hard when restrained, etc. She doesn't react strongly to having it handled, so I don't think she's currently in severe pain. The bulge is clearly filled with fluid. Her crop contained some food this evening, but wasn't entirely full. She had a very watery bowel movement after I soaked & cleaned the exposed skin.

Can anyone think of something this could be other than ascites? Is there an alternate possible diagnosis that I'm overlooking?

I'm on the fence about taking her to the vet, in no small part because the vet I've used for previous chicken challenges is out of town next week and is booked up this week.

Even in an ideal situation, where a hen lives for a long time with the condition, ascites is usually associated with reduced lay, yes? I haven't seen many of her eggs recently.

Would it be unkind to just monitor her for a couple weeks, to see if she continues to be comfortable, before either culling or taking her to the vet?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

The bulge is clearly filled with fluid.

If you are sure the bulge is fluid filled, then yes...I'd say it's fluid which is a symptom called Ascites.
In laying hens reproductive disorders or organ dysfunction are a couple of causes of fluid accumulating in the abdomen (Ascites).

If she's not in distress at this time, is active/eating/drinking, then draining may not be necessary.