AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Hi,

I have a hen with a lot of fluid build up in her abdomen (the underside area from her legs to her tail). Her droppings are nice and solid, but are reddish brown and white. She lays well, then goes broody, eats fine and acts okay, though she sometimes appears to be a little slow when reacting or making decisions. She's less than two years old.

Does anyone have an idea of what this could be? Does she need to see a vet?

Thanks,
Diane.

I have no idea Diane BUT I am bumping this due to curiosity and hopefully someone can offer a suggestion or 3.

Thanks b&p....I'm waiting patiently and hoping.

Diane.

Hi Diane

Last weekend my neighbours came to me with two of their hens which both had swollen abdomens to see if I knew what was wrong with them. We both did lots of research but could not pinpoint what could be wronmg with them. On the Monday she decided to take them to the local vets (Who by the way are not very good when it comes to poultry) they euthanased them and said it was Mareks.

My neighbour and I discussed their diagnosis and after more research were not convinced they were right. However the next morning I was horrified to find that one of my hens was suffering the same condition. I promptly drove 1/2 hour to a proper poultry vet who told me it was avian leukosis - a viral disease that effects the liver. You may notice a goldy yellow tinge to the poos this is a sign that there may be a liver problem. He told me there was no cure and I made the tearful decision to have her put down. She was the first chicken I bought as a baby chick over two years ago and she had a special place in my heart.

On coming home I did further research and found a particularly good site which I will find for you. It states that leukosis is a viral disease that can be spread although it is not highly contagious spread laterally. Its only highly contagious vertically i.e spread to the chicks. My neighbour and I have both since cleaned all our coops and houses with Virkon S which I believe is a good poultry discenfectant and am keeping a close eye on the rest of our flock.

Last night I was talking to another fellow chook owner who lives a couple of KMS away he too had a chicken with a swollen abdomen just last week which also died. I only jumped on this forum today out of curiosity to see if anyone else was having problems and couldn't believe my eyes when I read your post. My neighbour and I were wondering about the possibility of the disease having been brought in on the wind of the recent dust storm!!!! Just a thought but our problems have only been since then!!!

Unfortunately Diane if this is what your chook is suffering with there would not be a happy outcome. Perhaps seek the advice of a poultry vet and give your pens a good clean. I will find that website I found on avian leukosis for you to have a look at for your own read.
Sorry I couldn't offer more cheery news.
All the best

By the way your chook is a double of my beautiful "Dora"

Maisyfleur

Here is a website about avian leukosis not the same one I first found but still very informative

http://www.poultryhub.org/index.php/Lymphoid_leukosis


Have just found the first website


http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseasein ... koma-group

Have a read and see if you think it might relate to your little chookie.
Maisyfleur

Oh no! That does sound like it...thanks for the links too maisyfleur.

So I should have her put down? That sounds so not right; she's laying and happy and healthy looking, but I guess she'd be spreading the disease just by living with the others?

And I should then give the pens/yards a thorough clean? Or if they were going to get it would they already have it? They've been living with her for 2 years...

The info says there's an incubation period of 4-6 months: any idea what that means? If after 6 months none of the other chooks show signs, it's gone?

My vet has no clue in regards to poultry, so how would I go about finding a poultry vet?

Thanks,
Diane.

Avian Vet in VIC =
KNOX Bird Clinic
03 9800 5311

[they were moving to better/bigger premises last time I spoke with them so not 100% sure they still have the same phone number] they are in Melb

and Colin Walker HAS 'chooks' so he understands better the light of bird owners

you could always google him/his Clinic

Hi Dianne

Don't panic too much - I don't think its highly contagious. I have only lost the one out of 25.

I know its so hard - my Gertie was walking around and eating scraps etc although her breastbone was quite protruding so I do think she hadn't been eating properly for awhile. Not sure if she was still laying as I have so many.

Before you rush into euthanasea I would feel happier knowing you had sought a second opinion as she does sound quite well otherwise and it would be awful if it wasn't what we think. I do know both mine and the next doors chooks had very goldy/yellowy tinge to their poos. Does yours have this?

Perhaps you could quarantine her from the others for a few days and keep an eye on her and her poos to be sure first.

The incubation period I was a bit confused about aswell. I think the best you can do is give your coops and pens a good spray with a good poultry discenfectant each month - thats what I am doing now.

Maisyfleur

Hi maisyfleur,

I did have her separated recently for about one and a half to two weeks when she went clucky. That's when I noticed her large fluid filled area.

Her droppings showed no sign of yellowness. They were reddish brown and white and mostly solid and normal looking...

The suggested vet is a little too far away for me, soozorps, but thanks.
Maybe I should go to my local vet and get them to drain the fluid to make her more comfortable?

I guess I'll keep an eye on her and all the others, give the pens regular thorough clean outs and hope for the best.

Thanks,
Diane.