Water belly

@Feather Locklear

I have an older bantam hen who developed ascites, I believe, from a drastic temperature change that she couldn’t handle last winter. Being my first encounter with this condition, I did a ton of research before I began treatment. The way I treated her was based on my research and also my personal determination as to dosage, etc, for such a small bird.

I separated her and began treating with a 1/2 teaspoon of vitamin c powder mixed with a cup of her low-protein crumbles, a few drops each of organic oil of oregano and organic milk thistle oil to a gallon of water. I made this available 24/7 for the 4 months of treatment. I also made plain water available to her. I did 2 drains, 4 weeks apart. This is a single chicken, so it was easy for me to closely monitor her liquid and food intake.

She’s still with me today (a year later) and thriving. No further signs of ascites. I’m not telling you that I have the cure, but using a combination of the above mentioned very likely helped to save my little hen.

There’s a lot of information out there explaining the benefits of oregano, milk thistle, and vitamin c. Do a lot of research and determine whether anything I’ve suggested (and the suggestions of others) may help your flock. Also, search the articles here on BYC. You’ll find lots of valuable information. I wish you well. Keep us updated.
 
20% occasionally I feed 22% - 24% Protein
20% would be the highest I would go with laying hens. Turkeys and guineas can handle over that without issues. I buy my feed by the ton and after 2 tons of 22% I had water belly all over the place. I went back down to 20% and saw that the hens got better and now I buy the ton in 18%.

Just sharing my first hand experience. To each there own. Moderation is key.

moderation is key.png
 
20% would be the highest I would go with laying hens. Turkeys and guineas can handle over that without issues. I buy my feed by the ton and after 2 tons of 22% I had water belly all over the place. I went back down to 20% and saw that the hens got better and now I buy the ton in 18%.

Just sharing my first hand experience. To each there own. Moderation is key.

View attachment 4273721
What breeds did you have that made you believe it was the feed?

The limit on protien for chickens is 26% which is the highest they can handle.

Provide source site links. If the site doesn't list protien content, then it's just regurgitating what others have spread about high protein feed without evidence to back it up.
 
Provide source site links. If the site doesn't list protien content, then it's just regurgitating what others have spread about high protein feed without evidence to back it up.
Source links for what exactly?

and do you have some source links to back up your "regurgitation"?
 
Source links for what exactly?

and do you have some source links to back up your "regurgitation"?
Link to your screenshot.

I'm not spilling the whole high protein thing is harmful. I am at the source, so I don't need to link it. I learned through @U_Stormcrow, & the Chicken Doc's here available on this site.
 
My first hand experience doesn't qualify as a source but yours does. HA! lmao


duck.ai
Of Course AI information 🙄. Never trust worthy.

You never answered my one question. What breeds did you have that got water belly make you believe it was the feed?
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom