Uh Oh - Fluid in belly?!

[MamaFox78]

I treated my flock for lice yesterday... and noticed about 6 of my 16 girls have swollen, hot abdomens that are filled with fluid.

The first one I noticed with it was Mother Clucker (older RIR)... she was part of my original rescue flock almost 2 years ago, she and a few other hens had major issues with Egg Yolk Peritonitis... Mother Clucker's wouldn't resolve even after treatment that resulted in an obscene vet bill, but cleared up on its own after I had given up and figured she'd just go when she was ready. So I wasn't shocked to find her with this issue.

But then I started finding other young girls with the same hot squishy belly... they're all about 10 months old, Buff Orpingtons and Brahmas. And I don't know what to think!!

My flock generally free ranges, on our ranch at 8500ft elevation (I know elevation can be a risk factor for water belly)... they're fed organic layer pellets and a little organic scratch, plus kitchen scraps of mostly veggies. After research, I do worry my son might give them too much scratch when he lets them out, but I can't be sure if that's the culprit. Anybody have thoughts as to what this could be??

 

[Shadrach]

I treated my flock for lice yesterday... and noticed about 6 of my 16 girls have swollen, hot abdomens that are filled with fluid.

The first one I noticed with it was Mother Clucker (older RIR)... she was part of my original rescue flock almost 2 years ago, she and a few other hens had major issues with Egg Yolk Peritonitis... Mother Clucker's wouldn't resolve even after treatment that resulted in an obscene vet bill, but cleared up on its own after I had given up and figured she'd just go when she was ready. So I wasn't shocked to find her with this issue.

But then I started finding other young girls with the same hot squishy belly... they're all about 10 months old, Buff Orpingtons and Brahmas. And I don't know what to think!!

My flock generally free ranges, on our ranch at 8500ft elevation (I know elevation can be a risk factor for water belly)... they're fed organic layer pellets and a little organic scratch, plus kitchen scraps of mostly veggies. After research, I do worry my son might give them too much scratch when he lets them out, but I can't be sure if that's the culprit. Anybody have thoughts as to what this could be??

Usually when people report their hens have swollen underbellies it turns out to be ascitis.

 

[MamaFox78]

Usually when people report their hens have swollen underbellies it turns out to be ascitis.

That's what I suspected... what causes ascites? I know elevation is a factor, could diet play a part? Just wondering why so many have it at once, and how to treat it.

 

[Shadrach]

That's what I suspected... what causes ascites? I know elevation is a factor, could diet play a part? Just wondering why so many have it at once, and how to treat it.

The accumulation of fat around the liver is usually cited as being mainly responsible. Diet has a major impact but it seems genetic predispostion is also a major factor which might help account for a few of your hens devloping it at around the same time.

 

[MamaFox78]

The accumulation of fat around the liver is usually cited as being mainly responsible. Diet has a major impact but it seems genetic predispostion is also a major factor which might help account for a few of your hens devloping it at around the same time.

Ahh that makes sense... I just asked my son, who often feeds them, and he's been giving them way too much scratch!! So diet could be a factor, affecting those with a genetic predisposition. I'm cutting out the scratch.

Is there any way I can treat it myself? Or is this a vet visit?