Sick hen abdomen feels bloated!!!

[magikchick]

I noticed one of my bantam cochin hens who usually sleep on the roost staying in the nest box. I checked to see if she was going broody and instead found her with a bloated abdomen and she is having diarreah (sp?). I don't know if she hurt her self. I started giving them some cracked corn in the feed and I can feel some in her crop. I didn't feel and egg so I don't think she is egg bound. Any ideas?

 

[gallusdomesticus]

There is a condition called ascites or 'water belly' that is frequently caused by congestive heart failure or fatty liver disease. If she has it, her abdomen will feel like a water balloon. You can drain the fluid with a syringe ( I had a vet do it with my hen) but that doesn't treat the underlying problem. My hen had fatty liver disease and since she's been on a milk thistle extract, she's back to her old self.

 

[purpletree23]

Do they have access to chicken grit? With out the grit they can not digest the cracked corn.

 

[chookchick]

If her belly feels "liquidy", then ascites could very well be the problem, like gallus said. Does she feel more liquid or solid? What does her diarrhea look like--is it white or more green/black? I would cut out the cracked corn, it can help cause fatty liver, and isn't very nutritious. Give them greens for treats instead.

 

[OrpingtonManor]

yes, it sounds like ascites. what color is the diarrhea? along with the other possibilities already listed, she could also have egg yolk peritonitis.

 

[Terri O]

I have a hen like this too right now. How did yours turn out? What did you all do? I read about egg yolk peritonitis and in my coop all that is going on: too much light, double yolk laying hens etc. WHat to do?
My hen right now is resting on a heating pad covered with a towel and she is alert and eatind/drinking but no poo. She has been in the house for 2 hours and nothing! My thread is the hen with the abdomen like a balloon posted earlier this afternoon. Terri O