Ascites or Fat?

[LydiaT]

I have a bantam (I think she is a Silky cross frizzle) who is approximately 3 years old who has a swollen and squishy abdomen. Other than that she seems pretty normal so I was wondering if it's fluid building up or if she is just really fat. She is given chook feed, food scraps and is free to roam around our garden. She is not currently laying but it is winter. Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Alaskan]

Could you post a photo?

From your description I am not sure..

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Were her last eggs that she laid soft shelled or without a shell?

 

[LydiaT]

Can do, it will be hard to see much because she is very fluffy, I'm guessing you would like a picture of her abdomen

 

[LydiaT]

No I don't recall her laying any soft shelled eggs

 

[Ursuline Chick]

That's good news, hopefully one less thing to worry about. Good luck

 

[Alaskan]

Well, since you think her feathers will camouflage things, let me try to describe.

usually if the belly is full of liquid...then it feels like a water balloon.

If it is full of fat...well...it feels like a fat person feels like.

 

[LydiaT]

I see, I tried to get some pictures, I'll post them but they probably won't help much, I think it feels like fluid but I tried to drain some liquid from her but didn't get anything.

 

[Alaskan]

Looks OK...but yeah, loads of feathers.

What does it feel like?

If it doesn't feel like a water balloon, I would call her good and not worry until she acts sick.

 

[LydiaT]

It's not tight like a full water balloon would be, it's more soft and squishy