Water Belly Help

[Canine and Co]

Hi all,

I have a cream legbar hen aged 1 year. I noticed she doesn't stray far from the coop, but seems happy enough with her own company. I also noticed she slightly waddled as she walked - her feet are a bit crooked so thought it may be that until I gave her a check and felt that her lower belly seemed squishy - balloon like.

She is laying eggs every couple of days, she has a great appetite for food and her comb and wattle are red and healthy looking and she is young. So it kinda took me by surprise!

Am I right in thinking that despite her laying ok, eating well and looking well that her issue is most probably water belly? If so, i'm guessing the best thing to do is to start draining it (I had a hen a few years ago who needed her belly draining every few days).

Any help or advice would be greatly received.

Thank you

Donna

 

[All4Eggz]

@Eggcessive
@Wyorp Rock

 

[LaFleche]

Hi all,

I have a cream legbar hen aged 1 year. I noticed she doesn't stray far from the coop, but seems happy enough with her own company. I also noticed she slightly waddled as she walked - her feet are a bit crooked so thought it may be that until I gave her a check and felt that her lower belly seemed squishy - balloon like.

She is laying eggs every couple of days, she has a great appetite for food and her comb and wattle are red and healthy looking and she is young. So it kinda took me by surprise!

Am I right in thinking that despite her laying ok, eating well and looking well that her issue is most probably water belly? If so, i'm guessing the best thing to do is to start draining it (I had a hen a few years ago who needed her belly draining every few days).

Any help or advice would be greatly received.

Thank you

Donna

She might just be too fat from enjoying the feed you provide. Some chickens don't do well with feed available at all times and they accumulate a fat pad in their lower abdomen which leads to waddling and low egg laying rates.

 

[Eggcessive]

It could be ascites, but she might be overweight or have some mass in her abdomen. You can rule ascites out by inserting an 18 gauge needle into the abdomen, to see if you get any yellow fluid out. Be sure to disinfect the skin and use a sterile needle. It is not without a risk of death or infection. Here is a good post 42 with pictures of draining a hen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

 

[Canine and Co]

She might just be too fat from enjoying the feed you provide. Some chickens don't do well with feed available at all times and they accumulate a fat pad in their lower abdomen which leads to waddling and low egg laying rates.

Oh thank you - let's hope it is this - I can do something about it! She is hanging around the feeders most of the day - so fingers crossed this is what it is!

 

[Canine and Co]

It could be ascites, but she might be overweight or have some mass in her abdomen. You can rule ascites out by inserting an 18 gauge needle into the abdomen, to see if you get any yellow fluid out. Be sure to disinfect the skin and use a sterile needle. It is not without a risk of death or infection. Here is a good post 42 with pictures of draining a hen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/laying-hens-with-water-belly-or-ascites.68731/page-5

Thank you so much.

 

[All4Eggz]

Oh thank you - let's hope it is this - I can do something about it! She is hanging around the feeders most of the day - so fingers crossed this is what it is!