Possible water belly

[Tiffy316]

I think one of my old English game bantams has the beginning stages of water belly. Her abdomen looks slightly swollen and feels like it's got water inside. Her cloaca looks bigger than it should.

She's acting fine. She's eating and drinking normally, isn't showing any signs of respiratory distress, and seems to be acting normal. The only reason that I think that somethings wrong is bc her abdomen looks and feels slightly swollen. What do you guys think?

 

[Eggcessive]

Does she lay regularly, and when was her last egg? Water belly or ascites is usually from liver problems associated with egg yolk peritonitis or other reproductive issues, liver disease, or heart failure. Can you get a picture of her vent? Could she be egg bound or trying to pass a lash egg? What color is her poop? Draining is only a temporary relief, since water belly is usually from a fatal disease. I have only seen water belly in one 11 year old OEG, but she did have a bluish belly and labored breathing. I drained her 2-3 times over about 10 days and she died. Her belly was full of hollow white sacks and yellow ascites fluid.

 

[Tiffy316]

Her poop looks normal. It was dark brown and white, and had a pudding like consistency. I'm not sure when her last egg was. I'll try to get a better picture picture of her vent. Her abdomen feels kinda like a small water balloon. Sort of like there's a little water in there. Could a lash egg or egg binding cause this?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Her poop looks normal. It was dark brown and white, and had a pudding like consistency. I'm not sure when her last egg was. I'll try to get a better picture picture of her vent. Her abdomen feels kinda like a small water balloon. Sort of like there's a little water in there. Could a lash egg or egg binding cause this?

I think one of my old English game bantams has the beginning stages of water belly. Her abdomen looks slightly swollen and feels like it's got water inside. Her cloaca looks bigger than it should.

She's acting fine. She's eating and drinking normally, isn't showing any signs of respiratory distress, and seems to be acting normal. The only reason that I think that somethings wrong is bc her abdomen looks and feels slightly swollen. What do you guys think?

What are you wanting to do?

If she's eating/drinking and acting normally, then I'd monitor her for now.

Is she laying eggs? Any issues there?

How's her crop feel?

Possible you may be seeing the symptom Ascites (Water Belly), but hard to know what condition is causing the fluid. Reproductive disorders or organ dysfunction are causes, but it sounds like right now she's doing o.k.

 

[Tiffy316]

I'm just concerned bc her abdomen looks slightly swollen. I'm not sure what exactly is going on with her.

 

[Meadowfamily]

sorry you didn't get further with your question in terms of an answer. i think you are right to ask why it is happening. Did you get anywhere with finding out more? I have had instances of acites and egg yolk peritonitis, and salpingitis, and from my few years of keeping bantams and some rescue battery hens, they were all related to reproductive issues.

If it is still an issue with your lovely little bantam, make sure you find a way to see if she is laying. put a separation inside the hutch, or put her in a separate hutch with a non laying friend for a while so you can see if she is laying. Meanwhile I recommend search online and by recommendation from pet hen keepers of a good avian vet. there are avian vets, who are trained specialists but who also do a lot of parrots etc... which are different to 'chicken vets' which is something they may advertise or you may hear from word of mouth - who by training or by experience are knowledegable about chickens. Either is better than a normal vet even if they say they 'treat chickens' which most say these days... so i would recommend the most knowledgeable and experienced chicken or avian vet you can find! And if she is no better then it is best to get her in for a check asap to catch whatever it is as early as possible. update us if you can. Blessings, Katherine

 

[Eggcessive]

@Tiffy316 how did your little hen get along? Did you try to drain her?

 

[Tiffy316]

@Tiffy316 how did your little hen get along? Did you try to drain her?

No, it turns out she was just fat. I decided to keep an eueb on her to see if her condition got any worse. However, apart from looking a little chubby, she continued to go about her business as usual.

I think she just got too many treats. I like to give my chickens things like lettuce, or discount veggies from Dillons from time to time. Apparently, some of my hens have figured out how to get more treats. She's totally fine. Just fat and happy.

 

[Eggcessive]

Thanks for the update, and I’m glad that she is doing well and on a diet.