Swollen Belly

[Debbiebay]

I have a Rhode Island Red who is approximately 2 years old or older - I am not sure because I adopted her from a local Ranch and they told me she is about a year old. She looks older with my chicken experience. I noticed today that she wasn't moving around as quickly and she was waddling when she walked. I went to pick her up and her whole bottom is swollen. Not sure if it's fluid, or egg bound or bad crop. All my other Hens are just fine. You can visibly see her skin. Anyway, I picked her up and soaked her in an Epsom Salt bath and she really enjoyed it. I wrapped her in a towel and held her for a while until she dried. I had gloves on and felt her vent, which looks clear and her eyes also look clear - she is eating and drinking. I can take her to the vet on Monday and hoping she will hold on til then. Her breathing seemed to be a bit laboring too.

Any suggestions?

 

[nuthatched]

It's likely ascites, it's brought on by organ failure or reproduction problems. You can drain the fluid but is a chronic condition, there's no cure. I'm sorry.

 

[Debbiebay]

It's likely ascites, it's brought on by organ failure or reproduction problems. You can drain the fluid but is a chronic condition, there's no cure. I'm sorry.

I had a feeling that's what it might be. How do I make her comfortable? Will I find her dead or should I just take her to the vet and put her down?

 

[Strawberry74]

I had a feeling that's what it might be. How do I make her comfortable? Will I find her dead or should I just take her to the vet and put her down?

Hi there, sorry your hen is experiencing this. I had a hen with ascites that thrived for two years plus after I started draining her abdomen whenever I noticed she was filling up. Honestly, you would have never known she was sick. As soon as you relieve the pressure, the wheezing stops in my experience. She did all the normal chicken things here on the farm aside from laying eggs. If she is happy and healthy otherwise and still has the drive to live, if it were me I'd do it.

 

[nuthatched]

I had a feeling that's what it might be. How do I make her comfortable? Will I find her dead or should I just take her to the vet and put her down?

Draining the fluid will help her, depending on what's causing it, it can be long term controlled or not.
It's very painful and it's better to put her down than letting her succumb.