Bloated hen!!!

henlover · **Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:56 pm **Posts:** 37

Hey Guys... My hen Isy is bloated. What could it be? She is still eating and drinking fine. I had to lift her up to her nest {Which is not very high} and her bed which has a ramp. I am very worried about her. She is old so if that changes things... Thanks :cry:

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Hi Henlover,

What do you mean by "bloated"?

Is her back end swollen? If so she may have egg yolk peritonitis. If so, you will need to take her to a vet where they may be able to relieve the pressure. Curing her is another matter.... some stabilise whilst others don't. The point is that the fluid builds up in her abdomen & may affect her breathing. There are various causes for this and it is more common in older hens.

If she appears swollen at the front it may be a swollen crop or ruptured air sacs; a swollen crop is usually caused by what they call "gut stasis" ie the gastro intestinal tract stops working so food just sits in the crop & starts to ferment. You can often feel the fluid & food sitting in the oversized crop at the base of the neck. Sometimes it may feel like air is there which may be gas produced from food fermentation.

Ruptured air sacs also feel gassy and can be caused by trauma or sometimes lower respiratory infections. Most birds suffering air sac ruptures usually appear otherwise normal.

We may be able to give you more help if you can give us some more information but I suspect you may need to take her to the vet if you want to help her.

Good luck

henlover · **Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:56 pm **Posts:** 37

Isy's comb is changing coulor to a silver greyish coulor. Does that mean anything?

She is swollen at the front and she gets all puffy. She also go into egg laying positon. Her poop is runny and a yellow coulor and their is not much of it......

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

The change in comb colour means she's not well- the blood supply to the comb is reduced or carrying less oxygen. Small amounts of runny yellow poop suggests she's not eating much & may have either liver or kidney issues. The egg laying position may indicate discomfort in the back end. The puffiness at the front may be due to crop or air sac issues or just be related to the fact that she's unwell.

Your girl sounds like she has multiple issues. You can try & keep her warm, give her oral electrolytes ( eg lectade or vytrate) & try an over the counter antibiotic and/or worming or coccidia treatment but it's impossible to tell for sure what's wrong without testing. Sounds like she needs to see a vet. If you try these things and you're treating the wrong condition she will only get worse.

Good luck with whatever you decide & keep us updated.
Parvo

henlover · **Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:56 pm **Posts:** 37

I think it is just because she is old now because she is 5 it is very sad though and I will do what i can

henlover · **Joined:** Tue Aug 17, 2010 5:56 pm **Posts:** 37

Sadly Isy died today. RIP Isy I love you!!

parvo · **Joined:** Sat Jan 02, 2010 7:39 pm **Posts:** 735

Very sorry for your loss, Henlover.

johs · **Posted:** Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:33 pm

Sorry to hear that. [smilie=a_blue.gif]

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