- Dec 1, 2012
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We have eight darling chickens. One of our Red Star/ Sex Link hens has developed a very swollen belly. She has always been a healthy weighted hen. She still has her body weight but now her stomach is enlarged to the point that she is "low riding" as we call it, when she walks. Her tummy is so large it practically drags. She is eating and drinking. However, seems depressed and lethargic. At times her large comb will droop slightly and just the tips turn purpleish. But, the comb color is dull. She stopped laying eggs about 10 months ago. Her and her three sisters stopped about the same time. It was after a molt. They are two and a half years old. We never figured out why they stopped, but they have been happy and once in a while will have small bouts like this but not nearly as severe as this! We lost her sister Annie about three weeks ago to egg yolk peritonitis. We are really worried now....However, this hen DOES NOT have yellow stool. In fact her stool is absolutely normal! We are going to try warm baths and I will give her antibiotics as a precaution. Does any one have any ideas?