Swelling in 5 year old Aracauna hen

[Pamela007]

I need some advice, please. We have a small flock of various hens..the favorite of all being a 5-year-old Aracauna hen who just started laying a bit this spring after a cold (and of course eggless) winter. She started losing feathers on her bottom a week or so ago but seemed just fine otherwise. Has a healthy appetite, drinks ok, and wanders around the yard and garden, as always, with the other hens. At night, all the hens go into their secure coop. Today we noticed more loss of feathers and a large, red, swollen area under her vent, about the size of a huge grapefruit. The area is pretty soft and there is no diarrhea or odd droppings noticeable. From what I've read on this site (I just registered today) it seems she may be egg-bound? In which case nothing much can be done, as I understand? Or am I missing something? Thanks for any and all help. I appreciate it.

 

[dlhunicorn]

it could be ascites , (fluid >sometimes referred to as "waterbelly" but also sometimes described as you just have) or it may indeed be eggbinding in which case you can give her a crushed tum (this is an emergency substitute for the calcium gluconate a vet would also give) and place in a warm bath for 10-15 minutes and on a toasty warm towel after and dry her to prevent chilling and give her POLYVISOL to address any d3 deficiency (three drops a day for a week then taper off the next)
Kygel to "lube "' the area will also sometimes help.

 

[Pamela007]

Thank you very much for your advice. We have given her some tetracycline and then 1 Tums and the warm bath, as you suggested. We'll see how things turn out tomorrow. SO hoping these things help. Thank you so much.