Water Belly Opinion needed

[Lrnadoon]

I am posting 2 picks of my Chicken Lucy's backside. She has had a big round booty for quite a while. She is not quite 2 years old and acts normal IMO. I think she has water belly. I did a health check on her today and she does feel a bit swollen. Not as bad as I have seen other chickens with water belly tho. By looking at the pics does anyone else agree she might have water belly?

 

[Eggcessive]

Her lower belly below the vent does appear enlarged. Can you post a picture of a normal poop from her? Are her urates in her dropping yellow? How does her belly feel—firm, lumpy, spongy, or tight like a drum? Has she been laying eggs recently? Have you seen any soft or abnormal eggs in the nest boxes? Is her crop emptying early in the morning? Is she eating and drinking? She could have salpingitis, water belly, cancer, or a hernia. Does she seem in any distress or having labored breathing? I don’t usually drain a hen with water belly. It can be risky, and may introduce infection or cause shock or death, but it could confirm water belly or help with labored breathing.

 

[Lrnadoon]

I will feel her belly and crop more tomorrow. She is laying and there is no labored breathing at this time. She def doesn't like the new chicks but finally seems to be getting used to them. She is the only hen that still chases them. She seems like her normal self. She has had an enlarged booty for at least 6 months so that is why I have been watching her for more signs etc...so weird. I will have to see what salpingitis is, I have never heard of that. Thanks for replying!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She is not quite 2 years old and acts normal IMO.

She is laying and there is no labored breathing at this time.

She seems like her normal self. She has had an enlarged booty for at least 6 months

She's eating/drinking, laying eggs, acting normal.

No signs of distress or lethargy.

She may have some fluid in the abdomen. It could be fat, hard to know. She's been plucked or trimmed, don't know which one, so being bare bottomed you can see the abdomen a little more clearly.

At this time if she's acting fine, then I would give any drastic treatments. If you feel you must do something, give her an Aloe Detox to see if the abdomen reduces in a size a little. Otherwise see that she's eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed, has fresh water, grit (crushed granite), oyster shell and go easy on treat like scratch.

 

[Jesse Lee Turner]

Alright now. Swollen near rear end, reddened near vent can mean Lucy’s fighting more than just a touch of fluid.

You could be dealing with one of a few customers:

1. Water belly (ascites): Usually gives that full, squishy underside. Vent might look pushed out just ‘cause of pressure.

2. Internal laying or egg yolk peritonitis: Especially in gals under 3. If yolk’s been goin the wrong direction, it can cause swelling, infection, and vent redness.

3. Prolapse or partial prolapse: If you see actual tissue pushing out the vent, it’s urgent. Gotta act fast to clean, sugar-treat (to reduce swelling), and maybe gently push back in.

4. Infection or inflammation: Could be from past laying issues or a low-grade reproductive bug stewing under the surface.

Here’s what I’d do:

1. Feel that belly: Is it tight like a drum? Squishy like a water balloon? Or doughy?
2. Check temp (if you can): Anything over 106°F is a red flag.
3. Is she straining or walking funny? Tail down, penguin stance? Could mean an internal egg or reproductive flare-up.
4. Give her a quiet, warm space to rest. No stress, no roosters.
5. Epsom salt soak (warm, not hot) if she's comfortable being handled. That can ease swelling and help identify if anything’s prolapsing or sore.
6. When this is done, consider her starting on B-complex and a little vitamin E - those help nerves and reduce any tissue damage.
7. If she worsens or you see pus or discharge, you may need antibiotics.

You’re catching it early, and that matters. Sounds like you're doing ok, good news is she’s still acting normal, it's great news, that buys you a lot of time. Bad news is, sometimes these things brew slow before they show up full force.

It's going to be ok!

***if you need a care plan or anything, if things need a little push along, I'll do all I can to help.

 

[Lrnadoon]

She does love her Epson salt baths. I have done this with her since the very beginning because she seems to be the one with the poopy butt all the time. Def not prolapse. Belly and booty feel more firm than like a water balloon. We do not have a rooster! She does not seem stressed, she kinda runs the roost if you know what I mean. What would you recommend for B and E vitamins?

 

[Lrnadoon]

She's eating/drinking, laying eggs, acting normal.

No signs of distress or lethargy.

She may have some fluid in the abdomen. It could be fat, hard to know. She's been plucked or trimmed, don't know which one, so being bare bottomed you can see the abdomen a little more clearly.

At this time if she's acting fine, then I would give any drastic treatments. If you feel you must do something, give her an Aloe Detox to see if the abdomen reduces in a size a little. Otherwise see that she's eating a nutritionally balanced poultry feed, has fresh water, grit (crushed granite), oyster shell and go easy on treat like scratch.

She has not been trimmed. She has not had feathers on her bottom for quite some time...that is why I started suspecting water belly. I will look into the Aloe Detox. Have never heard of doing that. I feed them organic feed. At the moment they are eating chick food cause my new chicks are only 13 weeks old.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

She has not been trimmed. She has not had feathers on her bottom for quite some time...that is why I started suspecting water belly. I will look into the Aloe Detox. Have never heard of doing that. I feed them organic feed. At the moment they are eating chick food cause my new chicks are only 13 weeks old.

OK if she wasn't trimmed then she's being plucked some. No that uncommon.

I'd try the detox and see if it helps, let us know how she's getting along.

 

[Lrnadoon]

OK if she wasn't trimmed then she's being plucked some. No that uncommon.

I'd try the detox and see if it helps, let us know how she's getting along.

I have looked everywhere on how much aloe to give a chicken and I cannot find any information. I have a syringe so if you could recommend an amount it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I have looked everywhere on how much aloe to give a chicken and I cannot find any information. I have a syringe so if you could recommend an amount it would be greatly appreciated.

A hyperlink to the thread was provide for you in Post#4 above...Product Info and Dosing is in that thread...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...le-to-move-now-laid-egg.1446105/post-24045478

If you feel you must do something, give her an Aloe Detox to see if the abdomen reduces in a size a little.