RIR hen bloated

[SixNolans]

I have a 2.5 yo RIR hen. She stayed on the roost fo 2 days. I took her out and put her to water. She drank a little and then just stood there. I picked her up again. Noting her to have a swollen abdomen. Like a balloon. Thought she may be egg bound. Checked carefully and felt no egg. I put her epsom salt warm bath for 20 minutes and placed her in a quiet area. Gave her plain yogurt and some oats. She ate that well. Just isn’t doing a whole lot and appears puffy. Waddle is still nice and red. Not sure what’s going on. Advice/suggestions?

 

[Eggcessive]

How does her crop feel early in the morning before she eats and drinks? Is it her lower belly between the legs that is full and enlarged? If so, that sounds like ascites or a reproductive problem. In my experience when a hen does not come off a roost in the morning or separates herself and is lethargic, there is a reproductive disorder or crop problem or both. Try to get her drinking, give vitamins and electrolytes, and offer wet chicken feed, scrambled egg, tuna, and canned catfood to tempt her to eat. If her crop is full and hard or puffy, early in the morning, then treat for a crop problem, hold off on foods that are not mushy.

 

[SixNolans]

How does her crop feel early in the morning before she eats and drinks? Is it her lower belly between the legs that is full and enlarged? If so, that sounds like ascites or a reproductive problem. In my experience when a hen does not come off a roost in the morning or separates herself and is lethargic, there is a reproductive disorder or crop problem or both. Try to get her drinking, give vitamins and electrolytes, and offer wet chicken feed, scrambled egg, tuna, and canned catfood to tempt her to eat. If her crop is full and hard or puffy, early in the morning, then treat for a crop problem, hold off on foods that are not mushy.

Thank you for your response. Her crop is ok. She has peritonitis and the vet said the prognosis is poor.

 

[Eggcessive]

Sorry to hear that. Many hens eventually die of reproductive problems. I would try to make her comfortable, and offer her some scrambled egg or tuna, along with her usual feed. Poultry vitamins or 1/2 B complex tablet crushed into her food can be helpful as well.