Swollen belly (with pictures)

[Frannyblonde]

Hi, I noticed today that our scatty legbar chicken was slow and didnt panic when I went near her so picked her up and noticed a big swelling underneath her.
I cant feel anything hard like an egg in it, but I bathed her and have tried to snuggle her in case she's egg bound.
She last laid two weeks ago (ish) and probably 2 months before that, she hasnt really come back into lay since winter off.
She's had 6 poohs, a bit splatty, but I'm hoping that's a good sign she's not egg bound. She actually seems fine in herself now she's away from the other bully chickens but this swelling is obviously cause for concern.
She's eating and has jumped out of the box and enjoying a pecking grit stick thingy. Not sure about water but it's there for her.
Could it be infection or surely she'd be under the weather with dull comb if that was the case? Have added some photos. Any ideas?

It would be the pet chicken who my 5 year old dotes on who gets ill!!!

 

[Sequel]

I’m so sorry your hen isn’t feeling well. I’m sure an educator will be along shortly to help you! I’ll tag a few for you. @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock @azygous
Good luck!

 

[azygous]

She looks like she doesn't feel too well. From your description and the location of the swelling in the photo where you hold her belly facing the camera, sounds like ascites. Ascites is water buildup in the abdominal cavity caused by liver failure. That is not the disease, though, but a symptom of other organ failure caused by usually a terminal disease such as cancer or chronic infection.

You can have a vet drain her belly to give her temporary comfort, but there is no cure.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

big swelling underneath her.

I bathed her and have tried to snuggle her in case she's egg bound.
She last laid two weeks ago (ish) and probably 2 months before that, she hasnt really come back into lay since winter off.

She actually seems fine in herself now she's away from the other bully chickens but this swelling is obviously cause for concern.

Not sure why all other posts have a reply but not this one

Thank you for your patience and Welcome To BYC

I agree, the swelling is likely fluid in the abdomen. Hard to know the cause, but since she's not been laying well, I would assume it's due to reproductive problems.
I'm sorry she's not feeling well though.
I also agree, if possible, seeking vet care to see if draining is possible. Some do drain their own hens to give them short term relief.
As mentioned previously - the fluid is a symptom, so draining fluid is supportive care instead of cure. There are risks involved.

Are the other birds picking on her a lot or just normal pecking order drama? I usually leave mine with the flock unless I think they will be injured.

Also can you get a photo of both of her eyes?

 

[Frannyblonde]

Hi, thank you for your replies, this is what I feared from internet research but that never usually seems accurate so I was still hopeful. I will take her to the vet tomorrow as it's emergency only today and see if they can drain it and give me more info about what to expect.

This is sad, it'll be our first adult chicken loss in the two years we've had them. I'll return her to the flock today in the garden with lots of space from the others. I'm sure she's enjoyed her overnight hotel stay anyway!

I dont think the others overly attack her, just usual stuff. But she's the lowest so the other 4 all have a go at her. We've only had blood once from a particularly vicious peck.

I'll get a photo of the eyes as well.

Thanks again.

 

[Frannyblonde]

Also can you get a photo of both of her eyes?

Interesting, I hadnt noticed yesterday, so not sure if it's a new symptom but her right eye is bright and alert, her left eye was really hard to get a photo of and often closed.
She was on the side where I could only really see her right eye when I bathed her and in her box, but perhaps with hindsight that's so she could see me properly! Anyway photos of eyes attached, I think you'll be able to figure out which one is left and which one right! (Two images of left.)

 

[Frannyblonde]

Oh god does this weird yawn thing mean she cant breathe, sure I havent seen a chicken do this before...

She's still eating and drinking??

 

[Eggcessive]

In the video she looks like she is adjusting or crop, but she might be gagging as well. Is her crop empty in the morning before she eats? Is it full and hard, doughy, or puffy?

Here right pupil appears irregular shaped, while the left pupil appears dilated more than normal. Is she having any problems seeing? Does the left eye have any cloudiness? Sometimes an irregular pupil can be a sign of the eye form of Mareks disease.

Ascites or water belly might be the problem with her enlarged lower belly. Does it feel soft, spongy, or tight?

 

[azygous]

I was thinking like @Eggcessive that she could be dealing with Marek's. Marek's grows tumors in the body, and there's also an ocular form of it. It would fit with the ascites if tumors are beginning to affect organ function. Talk to your vet about it.

Unfortunately, there's no cure. But if the hen dies, your vet can help you find a lab to do a necropsy to verify if you have Marek's in your flock.

 

[Frannyblonde]

Hello everyone, just an update as I'm stood outside the vets. It's egg peritonitis, so she's drained the fluid and is going to have anti inflammatories and antibiotics but as I'm sure you know it will probably happen again.
The main relief is that it's not Marek's and she's not a risk to the flock. Hopefully we will have bought her another few weeks/months (no idea really) and then next time we will let nature take it's course. The only way to fix is surgery which isnt an option.
The children will love having her in chicken hospital a bit longer while we treat her with the antibiotics etc.
The left eye is blind but apparently unrelated. Probably either due to the other chickens or her stupidity and clumsiness. She always runs away from us and into things, which is why I first noticed this as she stayed at my feet quietly.
Thank you again for all your help.