URGENT hen with potential water belly not eating or drinking

[Belovedturkey]

Did/will you necropsy?

No, I will not. I don’t have a place to send the body, and we already buried her. I also don’t have any money for a necropsy if they cost any.

 

[WunnySharbit]

Oh, yeah. COMPLETELY understand-- I'm not paying someone $300+ to tell me, "yes, that there is a dead chicken."

I frequently do my own, just to see, like, worms, diseased organs, egg, etc. (One time, she had massive visceral fat; I cut back on protein, treats, etc and saved the rest of my flock!)

From all your descriptions, it sounds like heart failure. Without the heart pumping properly, light yellow fluid accumulates in the body cavity, causing a swollen belly, lethargy, weakness, and damage to other organs. Eventually, the fluid puts so much pressure on the lungs/heart that both stop functioning. The fluid can also rupture internal structures and be released externally.

I'm sorry for your loss. RIP Pepper.
You are a great chicken mom, and I wish you all the best in the future!

 

[Belovedturkey]

Oh, yeah. COMPLETELY understand-- I'm not paying someone $300+ to tell me, "yes, that there is a dead chicken."

I frequently do my own, just to see, like, worms, diseased organs, egg, etc. (One time, she had massive visceral fat; I cut back on protein, treats, etc and saved the rest of my flock!)

From all your descriptions, it sounds like heart failure. Without the heart pumping properly, light yellow fluid accumulates in the body cavity, causing a swollen belly, lethargy, weakness, and damage to other organs. Eventually, the fluid puts so much pressure on the lungs/heart that both stop functioning. The fluid can also rupture internal structures and be released externally.

I'm sorry for your loss. RIP Pepper.
You are a great chicken mom, and I wish you all the best in the future!

Thank you, I may consider doing my own necropsy in the future but I still haven’t culled a chicken my self before so I don’t know if I could handle it. All this information and kind words were greatly appreciated.