Water Belly in 3 week old chick

[JessFarmer]

OK, so I have searched on the site for info regarding water belly or ascites (sp?) but I can't seem to find anything about a young chick having it only a full grown bird. My chick is only 3 weeks and has seemed to develop this. It is quite full but is eating and drinking and moving normally. It is only when I pick it up it is full of what seems to be water. Any ideas? I know you can drain but with it being so young I am worried about recovery. Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

OK, so I have searched on the site for info regarding water belly or ascites (sp?) but I can't seem to find anything about a young chick having it only a full grown bird. My chick is only 3 weeks and has seemed to develop this. It is quite full but is eating and drinking and moving normally. It is only when I pick it up it is full of what seems to be water. Any ideas? I know you can drain but with it being so young I am worried about recovery. Thanks!

Welcome To BYC

Can you post some photos of the chick and the belly?

 

[3riverschick]

The 2 page illness flow chart below by Jeff Mattocks covers : Sudden Death Syndrome ;
Ascites-Water Belly ; Coccidiosis; Necrotic Enteritis; Sinusitis; Blood poisoning ; Severe Enteritis ;
Botchulism, Salmonella or E-Coliform poisoning ; Curled Toes ; Splayed or Spraddle Leg ;
Other Leg Disorders.

illness flow chart with common treatment
https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/poultryillnessflowchart.pdfv

explanation of ascites, not treatment regimen
http://www.millerhatcheries.com/inf...nfo/Ascites (waterbelly)_in_Meat_Chickens.htm

commercial product for combatting, preventing ascites
acidifier Biotronic

SE
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/focus/biomin/2257/biomin-biotronic-ascites-in-poultry
http://www.biomin.net/en/products/biotronic/

discussion of ascites
http://www.apppa.org/content/12623

and for further study a website :
https://poulry.ces.ncsu.edu/general-topics/


Best,
Karen

 

[3riverschick]

Adding apple cider vinegar to the water makes sense as that commercial product
Biotronic SE is also an acidifier and based on the use of acidifiers to prevent ascites.
Best,
Karen

 

[JessFarmer]

Great...thanks!