Treating Water Belly in Chickens

[@anuashuu]

I was here 5 months ago because my favourite hen was suffering from waterbelly. And I just wanted to thank you because she's still alive ❤️🙂

[@inwoodeden2440]

That's awesome! Frenchy has since passed. (Eventually she just withered away, but she was a very old bird) I've had a couple others since that needed some help and it amazes me at their capacity to recover.

[@بهناممهدینیالیچاهی]

@@inwoodeden2440 thanks for your video how long a chicken can live after waterbelly with tratement like this video???

[@inwoodeden2440]

@@بهناممهدینیالیچاهی I believe it depends on the chicken. Frenchy lasted a year and a half.

[@بهناممهدینیالیچاهی]

@@inwoodeden2440 sorry for your loose rip dear frenchy in the chicken heaven❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕💕

[@anuashuu]

Mine died yesterday 😥 But I hope she didn't suffered a lot. Atleast she survived 6 months . Thank you very much 😇

[@thepensmithshoppe1711]

Thank you for the video. This worked. Our girl seamed so much better within 15-20 min. Started eating and jumping around. There are no vets in our area that would help a chicken. Just wanted to let you know that the time you took to make this video is very much appreciated.

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

Big question was this film reverse n was she drained from he left or right Side of her bum looking strait in at her tail cause it sounded like that was important to her right

[@triciaflanagan5668]

We were too late ! But this is our second old one !!! Now we know what to do ! Clear concise, with out all the other “ yacking “ thank you !!!

[@Chooksrule]

Thanks very much! I did this on all 3 of my chickens probably close to 6 months to a year ago. (I think I may have fed them too many snails.) I just used the sterile needle without the syringe and let the fluid drain out naturally over a period of time. All 3 chooks recovered very well and the water belly didn't come back. Just this week, one of the chickens is laying again every day! Thanks again for making this video - it really helped and gave me a lot of confidence!

[@theemuraski]

I was having an issue with one of my hens. I didn’t want her to suffer so I was desperate. I looked up your video and it gave me the confidence to try this procedure. My Hail Mary! It worked and I really appreciate your video.

[@anneritschel2414]

so that i know, there is always a reason for the ascites. The water belly is just a symptom, not the cause. So my girl has an inflammation within her body, not really known where. Now i feed er Oregano everyday. and since 5 days her belly is getting more and more softer, because of the fight against the cause, the inflammation. Oregano is a strong antibiotika.

[@ForwardMomentum]

Thanks for this video. I knew something was wrong with our usually-crazy RIR when she was walking funny. I determined it was water belly and your vid helped me get the job done, extracting 80ml of fluid on my first round successfully (more to go!). For anyone curious, the largest syringe and 18ga needle pack at Tractor Supply is what worked for me. $5 total. I had some alcohol wipes laying around. My son held her and I did four back-to-back extractions by sticking the needle about 1/2” in to the right of her vent and about an inch or two down towards her right leg. All went well. Thank you.

[@viwanton]

I really appreciate your video. I was concerned about her behavior. She was subdued, her comb was cyanotic and she was separating herself from the others. I gave her an Epsom salt bath and drained her water belly. I kept her in the house to monitor the drainage, it was clear fluid. I also applied Monistat to her vent because she had white drainage on her feathers. I checked her vent and didn't find any sign of her being egg bound. Today she is running around and acting much better. Her comb is bright red. Thanks so much.❤

[@aris5703]

My 3 year old hen just developed water belly about a week ago, today we drained it, 3 HUGE syringes of fluid came out. Currently letting her drain. She’s now clucking & drinking had a scrambled egg & devoured it. Thank you so much for this video!

[@gretchendaytonmaxwell8313]

I have lost so much recently and my heart was breaking for my sweet girl. I followed your advice and after a trip to Tractor Supply for syringe and needles my girl is perked right up. I can’t really express my gratitude adequately but thank you for your video and the calm that emanates from your instructions. My girl didn’t flinch either❤

[@Stock_em_up]

Thank you, you saved lemon chicken's life with this , walmart has a $.25 single needle at Rx and my hen was bloated like a stuffed turkey. Very different from the other girls belly ( thin, boney) . We did a few small pulls and then she started dripping on her own. Hopefully this is the road recovery. It seems chickens around 4-5years need this done

[@deborabarros1159]

Thank you sooooo much! My baby girl is doing much better. I found this video around 3AM last night and we already took care of her. Thank you

[@W1tch3R_85]

Thank you for making this video. Many loved chickens are alive and better off because you did film this. Good Man. Thanks again.

[@Gjallitr]

Thank you very much for the video. One of our hens had visibly trouble breathing and was wearily laying in the grass. Successfully drained around 80 ml from her swollen belly. She looks so relieved now.

[@danielbrothers-d6x]

This was a life saving video for us and our sick chicken that was hurtin... and we had no answer as what to do until we saw this video. we just did this to our chicken that really needed that help... what a relief it was to find this answer... thanks so much for posting this video... May Jesus Bless You in Many Ways.

[@homestatzfarmher8919]

Thank you so much! We have never had a chicken that had this issue but due to your instruction we tried and successfully drained quite a bit of fluid off of her she’s doing much better now. Appreciate the information!❤

[@angiehouse6356]

Thank you so much for showing this technique for draining the belly!

[@Marie-oj1kh]

Thank you for your video and for everyone who's favorite chicken who loves life here's what I've found helpful: cabbage leaves lining her nest box/sleeping area each night works wonders. It's a treatment for reliving edema in mother cats with mastitis and every other creature with swelling including people with swelling/edema, it just works. I line my chicken's carrier with large cabbage leaves, changing out as needed, her swelling goes down, it pulls the water out. Thanks to everyone who lends a hand, hope this helps, it's inexpensive and provides relieve. There's nothing better than seeing an unhappy hen enjoying her life again.

[@husqv5147]

Your vid gave me the nerve to do this (Thank you so much!), after doing it a few times I came up with what works best for me and would like to share with you and others. I hold the bird just as you did and insert needle the same spot you suggested, my needle is a 16gr x 1 inch long, I have found that to still be a little too long so I cut a piece of jacket (1/2") off a piece of electrical wire of the same size as the needle diameter and slipped it over the needle to leave only about 1/2" of the needle exposed, that is plenty long enough. I do not use the syringe just the needle, the second it pierces the skin it comes squirting out like a squirt gun. I hold the bird and the needle in place and just let it drain, when it slows to just dripping some light squeezing by cupping the hand will get a lot more to come out. When It slows to just drops I remove the needle , put the bird down and just let her drip/drain like you did. I hope this helps someone who doesn't like the syringing idea. Best of luck everyone with your birds. And BTW there is no smell to the liquid if you are on the queasy side. A sleeve cut off a old sweatshirt is worth it's weight in gold when working with chickens for too many reasons to list. Just slide it over the head and down over those flappers and you are ready to do whatever needs to be done without being beat to death by flailing wings.

[@susanaesmerald2291]

I do EXACTLY the same as you do. No sirynge, just a 14G needle which i only insert the first cm. It drips like a fast tap. And laater she goes around dripping naturally Ifrom the poked hole. It works fantastic!!

[@icuformiles420]

Thanks so much for the sleeve idea I would hug you if I could

[@kooksndooks]

Thanks for mentioning this! I have a hen who I want to try to give some relief too. But I'm having so much trouble getting her to stay still for me, and my family has such a hard time holding her as well. I see everyone having such an easy, relaxed hen during the process. But this girl of mine just won't have it. Rather than bother with the syringe (since I don't think she'll stay still long enough for me to use it), I'll just give her a poke and let it drip from the needle. Then entice her with a treat or something afterwards so she doesn't pull at the needle.

[@richarddixon3843]

My Roade Island Red was attacked by an eagle about a week before. She came down with Water Belly. My understanding is they can get it from a dislodged egg inside. Today is Easter Sunday so no vets or feed stores were open. I put out a plea for the needle and syringe you used on my neighborhoods FB page and several people came through! I followed your instructions as best I could (I also had to do it alone) and it turned out just the way yours did. She's eating, drinking and when I went into the coop to check on her tonight she was up on the top roost. I'm hoping she's out of the woods. Thank you so much for your simple but very instructive video.

[@kristen7775]

I never knew this was a thing until last Thursday. I thought I had an eggbound hen so I put her in a sitzbath 2 times in an hour and massaged her belly. I couldn't feel an egg but her belly was soft. I saw yellowish fluid seep out and within 20 minutes she was fine! That was almost a week ago. She's only laid one egg since then so I'm keeping an eye on her. Thank you for this video. It helps me to understand what's happened and how to deal with it.

[@AnneluvsKatz]

Thanks for helping her. Youre a good man.

[@EncyclopediaTV-co4el]

wow! I having fior the first time a hen with what I believe is Peritonitis or water belly. I did not know what it was at first, but I separated from the others and she has been in the front of the house for a week now. Done everything thinking it was an egg bound, but here is no way! I will try today to remove the liquid. You channel is awesome, simple, humane and very instructional, down to the point and straightforward. Thank you

[@Conny226]

Thank you so much for your video and excellent explanation you saved our chicken yesterday 😅I was scared to do this but my husband did just what you said 😅did hold her and he did the rest ❤❤❤❤thank u

[@crystalsmith1792]

Thank you for making this video, it was super helpful!

[@TT-kg3li]

Thank you for this video. I have a chicken suffering from this I believe. I first thought it was egg impacted but nothing helped. I will definitely give this a try. My girl is only two!

[@thatdamhorserescue]

EXACTLY same situation with 2 rescue chickens. I've been researching for hours and stumbled across a Facebook post, so I KZbind it and her i am. God is good whew

[@zeitentgeistert4324]

thank you for this video! very helpful to get the fairly precise measurements... (btw: i think that the gaping suggests that the fluid-buildup is putting pressure on the lungs.)

[@dragonslayer3017]

This helped, thank you 🫡

[@rosyli1651]

Durham? As in Durham, NC?? If sooo that’s where I’m watching you from 😆 I came across this video as I learned about “water belly” and so I googled and came across your video.

[@homesoulgrownhandmaidenoft5276]

Excellent quick video. Thank you

[@allis082]

Thank you so much for this video! It has helped us prolonged our Kylie for many months so far...😊 thank you

[@Flfreedom]

Thank you. I’ll try this on my hen this week!

[@Flfreedom]

Update-after 3 months from this post, my black hen finally passed away. So yes you can give them a few more months but it will come for your hen.

[@cassidynosekabel2347]

Thank you so much for this video! Unfortunately my girl still passed after I drained some. To be honest, I think I pulled too much out too quickly with the syringe and she went into shock because she died about 10 minutes after I drained some fluid. Regardless I do appreciate that you put this tutorial out there and while I how no more of hens come down with water belly, I feel confident I can help (and catch it sooner).

[@debraanderson7086]

My heart goes out to you, I just want you to know that we are only human chicken Tenders not veterinarians. You did the best you could for her

[@MAOM80]

Thanks to your video (and my fear of needles) I did try the last thing for my beloved chicken. And.. it worked! a LOT of yellow fluid came out and I can see she is feeling so much better. She is only 2 years old so I am wondering: do I need to keep doing this every now and then?

[@brendabuitron5438]

The dude on the video says he has been doing it every two months.

[@robinham2796]

Thanks to YOU! I did it! I’ve been dealing with two with sour crop this week and just noticed my he. Waddling like this! I immediatly went to my feed store, Got the needle and syringe, drained her, (stabbbed myself) mad she walked normally!! Thank you sooo much!!! I didn’t know I could do it!

[@efischer70]

Thanks this helped a lot!

[@sonofhibbs4425]

Just a note.. the bigger gauge needles work better. I have been trying to use a 22 gauge needle, but it’s extremely difficult to pull the syringe out. Gauge 16 or 18 is better I heard.

[@kunob918]

Thanks for the video. Very helpful. (from Germany)

[@nosetotail9600]

Thank you!!!! 🙏

[@javiermartinez-ge8ss]

Thank you so much for your video it really helped me a lot i appreciate you for this 🙏❤️

[@sharoncourt75]

Hello I just started dong this recently, the 1st time the hen had loquid of the color of yours, she was molting in the winter, now she is back to a layng cycle but no eggsare laid, she is layng internally, she gets bloated in 3 days oe so, the liquid looks like blended eggyolk, i dont k lw what to do, she is agoñden comer, the vent gave an antibiot and a norco desinflamatory, she told me not to drain her just vasically let her get bloaded and when she can breed kill her; i beg her to put an implant to stop ovulating andshe told me just to puther in a closet keep her in the dark! I wanted 6 days and drain her again when she got full, now she is doing so much worse, is like the abtibiotic just took such a tall on her bot wanting to eat just wanting to stay in the little box with hey made her, I am giving her chick feed, and she hates it

[@campbellfalls7430]

Ty great information.

[@justinewhite-hadley3138]

Brave! Thank you for sharing!

[@malisaarcher5609]

Thank you so much for this amazing video!

[@christyarguello214]

Is it possible for the hen to be too far along? I was sure she had water belly (she had all the symptoms), but nothing would come out when I did the syringe.

[@LeaWeiss-fp1vx]

So my chicken has water belly and she literally cannot walk I’m getting ready to drain her I’m nervous because Iv already lost one to water belly

[@husqv5147]

Thank you for this!

[@MiaMarie420]

I'm not sure if mine has water belly or if she got irritated because I had to soften poop. I don't feel an egg but that doesn't mean much and she laid this morning

[@1990Jessy]

I think my chicken might be going through this. I'm scared to take action because I'm not sure that's what it is. But her stomach and vent area is very swollen. Will that affect trying to figure out where to put the needle in??

[@veraroncelli7285]

I have a couple chickens with water belly. Never treated them before but I think I need to. One of my chickens I don’t know if it had water belly or if it was something else but she developed some infection in her bellow below her vent and had maggots eating her alive so I had to cull her 😢

[@serdlc64]

That’s awful 🥲. We also need to be careful of other animals. Our Aussie had long hair of course, and a blow fly must have laid eggs on her skin above her tear on her back and maggots ate her. We didn’t know why she was walking so badly and one time couldn’t even get up. Then my husband saw that the maggots had eaten her back. I was absolutely sick. She was the sweetest dog.

[@Rizwanjihobiternak]

Thank you for the video sir...

[@tombruce5758]

Thanks for your video but we could not get any fluid to come out in fact I couldn't even pull the syringe back, it was like it was plugged. I pulled out the needle and the syringe did work, am i doing something wrong?

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

Maybe you have misdiagnosed the situation. Is the chicken stretched out like a water balloon? If so it may be that you didn’t insert the needle far enough, but I am afraid of giving that advice without some kind of visual or confirmation. Maybe you can find someone local to support you.

[@icuformiles420]

Is there any way to drain fluid without a syringe

[@danielbrothers-d6x]

We tried your treatment 6 days ago and a lot of liquid did come out.... but she is still moping around and just does NOT act right at all... what else can I do for her??????

[@e.s.92]

I am actually having a problem with my chicken she was very hunch over with her eyes closed we thought she had an egg stuck inside her, we put her in water with epson salt, rub her but honestly we don’t see no egg so we have been giving her medication food and water and has stand up and open her eyes but won’t move around once in a while she will lay down it has been like this for 3 days I try getting her to the vet and they won’t take her in for 3 days, my husband said if she is not better today we will end her suffering we don’t have a clue what is going on.

[@inwoodeden2440]

I cannot offer much, but separating her to small cage full of hay with food and water in a quiet place can keep her safe while she heals. If it was water belly it would feel like a giant water balloon and you would know. There are lots of great resources online. One thing I can say is that I have had chickens recover from sickness(being hunched over and unable to walk). It is something that the chickens body has to deal with. I don't know what medications you are using, but it should be targeted to a proper diagnosis. Otherwise it should just be about supporting her health with clean water and food. Eggs are good healing food for them. Especially if she is pale.

[@e.s.92]

@@inwoodeden2440 no it doesn’t fell like that She is inside my house because it’s snowing and cold outside she does well and then she gets sick again 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@Barefoot.and.wild7115]

Thank you for posting this I found this video cuz I have a old chicken that was given to me. I see that she have water belly. Question though will they lay eggs after we treat this chicken?

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

Usually they don’t lay many/any eggs after this

[@jasminamajcenic8517]

Thank you😀

[@Zak18777]

You can also put the needle in with a little tape and let it drain and then pull needle out 10 min layer

[@aguibells1]

Hi I have a chicken with Water belly but she also has problem in the crop. I removed the water in the belly already. For the crop, I am giving her apple cider vinegar. I massage her crop so the food can go to the gizzard. What else can I give her? Thanks.

[@inwoodeden2440]

is the crop emptying or does the food just stay there? How does her breath smell? Is the food in the crop soft and malleable or firm? How are you delivering apple cider vinegar? There is probably nothing to give her. I'm not the authority on chicken care, but I don't think you have clearly expressed/diagnosed what the problem is in the crop.

[@aguibells1]

@@inwoodeden2440 The breath smell is ok nothing bad. the food in the crop is firm because the water goes to the proventriculus and gizzard. So the food has stayed overnight in the crop. I mixed water with Apple with a little bit of shredded carrots which she loves it. She does not like the vinegar but still ate it with the shredded carrots yesterday.

[@JaimeBlackBird]

She has crop stasis… And potentially a fungal or bacterial infection as well. You should never feed a full crop that’s not moving. You also want to avoid high fiber and stringy, sticky and mushy foods…Because these types of foods can easily get gummed up in the crop and exacerbate the problem. ACV is not medicine! It can be helpful in maintaining gut health & for *reducing the risk of* some health problems.

[@JudyZimShadHomesteader]

Big question was this film reverse n was she drained from he left or right Side of her bum looking strait in at her tail cause it sounded like that was important to her right. Her left side is where all important organs are

[@JaimeBlackBird]

So are you saying that there are important organs and unimportant organs? Lol and the important ones are on the left side? Oh dear. You can drain bilaterally (both sides simultaneously) if necessary… but it definitely sounds like you need to brush up on your anatomy before attempting this procedure 😉

[@KATARZYNA0987mmmmm]

bardzo pomocny film !

[@englishcountrywalks4613]

What symptoms do the hens display to know whether it’s water belly? I’ve rescued some battery hens and they’re my first time keeping hens. One was taken by a fox which I was saddened by and then on Friday my favourite hen was ill so I called the vet but they asked to call me back but unfortunately in the time I waited for their return call she died. I’m now angry with myself. I read ALL sorts of different possible causes and thought she could have been egg bound so made a bath to soak her back end, she was a little livelier but eventually she died.

[@inwoodeden2440]

They have a swollen body cavity that feels sloshy with liquid. Death is part of being a chicken. The traumas of battery life and the domestication of their genetics both shorten the lifespan. You have cared for them and are becoming better at caring for them. That matters more than whether we live or die.

[@thatdamhorserescue]

I concur to the advice Comment. Trust and believe, they know you cared!!

[@mcjams66]

Thank you.

[@akd3444]

I watched your video and tried to do the same thing to my chicken who has lot of water in her belly; however, I was not sure how deep I needed to insert the needle inside of her and some blood came out, not green or brown color of water. Would you tell me the length of needle you use for your chicken? How deep can I insert the needle? I felt bad for her after I made a few holes and didn't give her any treatment to make her feel better.

[@inwoodeden2440]

You insert the needle as little as possible to get the job done. There is an opening at the end of the needle. Once it is inside then pull out the plunger.

[@irishguy200007]

Could you leave the needle in while it draining and just remove the syrenge?

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

Maybe. I think the risk is knowing when to take it out, or catching the chicken again with a needle in her. If you were experimenting while holding the bird it would probably be okay.

[@anakamhi7097]

Aw Poot frenchie 😢

[@jennifervazquez8803]

hi I have a question one of my chickens has not been feeling well and it's acting strange when my mom touched I believe either her stomach or abdomen She said that it felt hard and She moves her neck in a strange way aswell.when shes eating or not she moves her neck sideways as if she had something stuck on her throat like as if she's struggling to swallow. Please help I don't want another chicken to die I already lost a chicken last month.

[@inwoodeden2440]

Sounds like a crop issue. You should watch some KZbin videos and do some research as well as feel her crop and observe it to make sure it is emptying

[@MS-de7bb]

Gonna try thankyou

[@zacksaulness]

Do I numb it first then I poke?

[@kingboxing2481]

😢 I tried it but my check died 2 hours later I fell bad I don’t know if it died because I did this or something else

[@lindafair4286]

I have a Maran hen 11 months old who I think has a water belly. Is this unusual at this age and what can I do?

[@lesliejacobs3002]

We have a young chicken too just over a year. A Buckeye..she has water belly and we just drained her with a 18 gauge needle. Took about 1/2 hour..we just inserted the needle WITHOUT the syringe…and let it drip we were lightly holding her over a towel. So much drained. Then took the needle out and she continued to drain for at least an hour.. she feels and looks so much better. Maybe that she is so young we might have a better outcome.

[@hmm-m]

How many days before getting an infection on average? My chicken has been like that for 4-7 days already... Only now did I find out this video and can try but... is there any point after so many days? Her comb is fallen and grayish...

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

“Infection” and fluid in the body cavity are two different things. You will have to clarify your question

[@hmm-m]

@@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj I meant that my chicken has been having water belly for 4-7 days. I meant if after such time it is still worth trying to remove the fluid or is it too late (she may have already infection maybe because of having water belly?). In addition, her comb is grayish, no more nicely red.

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

@@hmm-m it is not too late because water belly is not necessarily an infection. The grey comb is concerning and it might be something different. This procedure is for when the chicken is stretched like a water balloon (other symptoms might be breathing hard, a deeper red/purple comb, and not making it up to a rose bar)

[@doodles3075]

Just found my little girl like this last night. Absolutely petrified of doing this for her. It's going to cost a fortune at the vets. 100% this helps?

[@jonathanandtrishavlogs6874]

We tried it last night and got some sucked out in a syringe but nothing drained afterwards on its own, so we’ll do it again tonight and drain a little each day.

[@inwoodeden2440]

Sorry for the late reply. It’s not about fixing anything. It may help them with mobility and ease pressure. If you aren’t feeling confident enough to do. I would say hold off and let nature take its course. There are great lessons to be had either way.

[@anuashuu]

Hi, we have a chicken with swollen abdomen but the hospital is not taking her. After watching your video we removed some fluid and it's filled again the next day. Is there anything we can do?

[@inwoodeden2440]

I don't know, but I don't think so. It sounds like there is nothing for you to do. These recent weather events have really helped many people to face their powerlessness in many situations and release attachments that are causing suffering.

[@JaimeBlackBird]

You probably didn’t remove all of the fluid on the first try… The fluid needs to be removed carefully and slowly using a large volume (60cc) syringe with 18-20 gauge/1” or shorter luer- lock needle or using sterile technique… If the ascites is due to cancer, probably the only thing you can do is repeat the centesis procedure as often as needed. if the ascites is due to egg-binding, ectopic laying, or other reproductive dysfunction-Hormone therapy is available from your vet. If the ascites is due to a bacterial or fungal infection… Including egg yolk peritonitis, your vet can culture the fluid & will prescribe an effective antimicrobial.

[@RonHelton]

Very interesting. I had never heard of this before. She will not lay eggs anymore? Too old, right?

[@inwoodeden2440]

Yeah, no eggs from her.

[@onodacops]

The fluid was a dark brown and then was more yellow. I’m afraid I waited too long and there is a serious infection. Regardless, quite a bit came out. Hopefully they’ll be some improvement in the morning.

[@treyfowler6892]

Thanks for the video! If you're still watching comments I have a question: My hen appears to have water belly, but it seems to be leaking into her stomach. This morning she drained an uncomfortable amount of fluid from her mouth, so much so I was worried that she wasn't able to breath. She's fine right now, but I haven't seen that before in a water-belly hen. I've only had 1 before and though she did "vomit" from time to time, it was never that severe. That said, does this condition require a different treatment or do I still go with drip-drain? I've got alochol and a needle and everything ready to go.

[@inwoodeden2440]

Extra water in the gut is usually from over-drinking in an effort to cool down. I would make sure and offer water they can stand in and lots of shade.

[@inwoodeden2440]

You definitely don't want to take water out of her stomach, so I think you can hold off on the needle for now.

[@treyfowler6892]

@@inwoodeden2440 Thanks! I'll keep those in mind. We built a structure over their run for protection from hawks a couple of years back so they have ample access to shade. It's getting cooler around here as well thanks to fall so I think she's good there. I'll look into a water source she can stand in. Really appreciate your advice!

[@JaimeBlackBird]

@@treyfowler6892 Would you mind giving an update on your chicken? Your initial description would’ve made me suspect a GI blockage or crop stasis…and/or infection in crop or along GI

[@jhogan9728]

Help I did this and I got only air. I went in her button and I didn't feel any egg. Maybe I didn't pock her in the right place!

[@nicolejackson5488]

I've watched your video and several others. My chicken is SO uncomfortable but when I try to drain it, nothing comes out. Yesterday she let me poke her and didn't seem to notice. Today she flinched and wriggled. I think it is getting more tender. I've tried it about an inch down and four inches down from the vent on the right. What could I be doing wrong? Help!

[@eoau]

If nothing is coming out and she's getting hurt then you should stop and try to find a vet, it could be something different

[@inwoodeden2440]

It's probably a different issue. There could be lots of reasons for swelling. Sorry for the late response, and I hope everything worked out with the experience.

[@julietalw]

Thank you. Off i go to do it

[@tjdurazo]

How do you feel about lancing with a small scalpel?

[@inwoodeden2440]

That feels like a really bad idea

[@JohnMajiji-m1w]

Sir can I do in broiler chickens

[@ovvon6481]

what size of the needle

[@907Prism]

Omgoodness, I couldn't do this.

[@aguibells1]

Inwood Eden, I would like you to let know us know where to get that syringe with the needle. Thanks

[@inwoodeden2440]

I got it from a vet friend, so my best advice is to look online or ask a vet.

[@aguibells1]

@@inwoodeden2440 Please ask your vet friend if we can get it online, what is the measurement or how to search online for one. Thank you.

[@inwoodeden2440]

@@aguibells1 it is an 18 gauge needle and a 60 ml irrigation syringe

[@cynthiadianecarey9902]

You can get the syringe and needle from a feed store. Ask the clerk. They keep them put away. They're inexpensive; the large syringe is a couple of bucks and the needle around 40¢. Use a new needle each time for sterility and it gets dull after each use, making it more potentialy dangerous, harder, and more painful to reuse.

[@grandma6552]

Can a drain tube be inserted? Like the ones the vets use to drain pus, etc.?

[@inwoodeden2440]

Probably, but I doubt it would be a good idea. Chickens are curious eaters and there would be a lot of potential complications for negligible return.

[@JaimeBlackBird]

You could temporarily (no more than an hour) leave a needleless catheter inserted (catheters are made out of flexible plastic & they are not sharp. You definitely don’t want to leave a sharp, metal needle inserted. You cannot leave a more permanent type drainage system, because that’s just asking for infection! Pathogens would easily find their way into the chicken via any type type of open drain system.

[@lw9218]

is there infection? can this happen in a14 month old hen?

[@jerrianneharvey1232]

I tried this night before last on my chicken and have a couple of questions. Number one is that she is still draining almost 48 hours later, is that normal? And she is still very lethargic, is that normal? She definitely lost about 5 pounds of fluid! It was unbelievable! Anything else I should watch out for during this process? Thanks!

[@inwoodeden2440]

Sorry for the late response. I don’t think it is a good sign to be lethargic and still draining 48 hours later. I’ve seen all the chickens I’ve serviced die eventually. So the treatment was really about easing the pressure(and allowing them to sleep on a roost instead of the floor/nest box). When chickens act lethargic something very serious is going on. I hope you were able to find peace with whatever has passed.

[@kikisuribe2729]

Thank you One Of mine Chicken Have the same thing i'm going to try that

[@crystalt0628]

Pls see this. So we have done this a few times now. Is there a time when it's not going to work anymore? It looks like she still has pressure but I've poked her and nothing coming out. Just need to know if there is a point where u just stop and let nature take its course. I don't want to give up too soon. First time dealing with this. 😭😭😭 thank you.

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

This is only something to do when they are so heavy with water that they can hardly get off the ground. I think sometimes their body can fix itself but often times it doesn’t and it keeps happening. If they are not a full water, balloon and liquid coming out easily then you shouldn’t be poking them.

[@crystalt0628]

@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj thank you so much. What has us confused is she is walking like a penguin. Is that just part of process? Before we would poke her and after a day or two she would be walking normal. We just don't know stages. Thoughts? Thanks again.

[@HeidiFaith]

“She’s just a chicken…” 😡😥

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

Sounds like you really care about your chickens. They are not just chickens to you.

[@denisesalles7248]

I am curious why you called it a "terminal illness." Or were the closed captions incorrect? Thank you!

[@chickenlounge641]

Beacuse it could be a heart failure, but I don’t believe that anything is necessarily terminal. Read many comments on many videos where they have chickens never have the same problem again and they live long time after they drain theM.

[@inwoodeden2440]

Was just adding some lightness and detachment(so individuals could release the attachment to "fixing" whatever is going on inside the chicken). For the issue of internal leaky organs(ie. organ failure) a needle in the butt is not likely to change the course. So that's how I wanted to present it. Life is a terminal condition. No one makes it out alive. :)

[@JaimeBlackBird]

@@inwoodeden2440 Organ failure is not due to “leaky organs” (whatever that means LOL. Ascites/fluid accumulation is usually due to reproductive dysfunction, infection, or internal laying or egg binding. Organ failure… Specifically systematic organ failure is the result of septic shock… Which is caused by sepsis, obviously, and can develop if an infection is left untreated… or if the infection is treated with the wrong anti-microbial, or if the pathogen is resistant

[@karinaestrada3875]

ascites is usually cased by liver failure. So chickens die from organ failure. Terminal illness.

[@CoyoteCrossingSanctuary]

I’m so scared I have done it once and removed 60ml. Is it normal to have a little blood at the poke? That scared me and she squirmed but fluid was clear.

[@tyrexpolie]

@Coyote Crossing, once you see blood in the mix, you must stop. That's what my vet told me. 60 ml is plenty enough to give the hen some relief.

[@CoyoteCrossingSanctuary]

@@tyrexpolie I’m sorry, I should’ve been more clear I meant is it OK if they bleed where you poked them at the pierced hole, not in the liquid.

[@ICHLIEBEmusic]

Are they still able to poop when they have water belly ?

[@aladrasullivan9018]

Yes

[@MS-de7bb]

Water plants.. lol

[@asuri7109]

My chicken Einstein is moving barley and I will come back to this video later and tell you how she is doing in the reply Section

[@robinchristensen2458]

If a hen Has water belly will she ever lay eggs again?

[@inwoodeden2440]

Depends, but likely not.

[@crystalt0628]

I doubt you will see this but I followed ur video and I only made her bleed 😭😭😭😭 any advice?

[@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj]

That would indicate that your issue is different. Maybe she has swelling for a different reason. My advice would be to not try again.

[@crystalt0628]

@MickeyKleinhenz-nj5mj ty. I did it wrong...2nd try I was able to get the yellow liquid. I'm a weinee so I think I went to slow. 😭😭😭

[@cheryldahl9192]

I thought my hen was egg bound, but now I don't know. She might have this problem.

[@Jacob-jc2gr]

What I'm seeing is that I have a cull

[@carolharmonbowling-young8767]

I hCe NEVER commented on these until now. I just can Not be silent about this... ! "Initially" you were great on the "How To" part (not the factual part) but then you went and "re-poked" her bellie... to open it up more...???? I can't not ask it, I just cant... "Are you a complete idiot?" ..?!? Not only did you not re-sanitize... but she's now walking around with an open wound to her bellie (even if it is small). I know bandaging isn't a real option, but to go and "poke it back in," Willie Nillie, and not even apply a dab of antibiotic ointment or anything...? You do realize she'll be resting that bellie on "crap" (at the very least) and you're inviting what ever bacteria might be around, "to, just come on in...?" As to the "Factual part..." *Incorrect Fact* That liquid isn't leaky egg fluid or even associated with eggs In any way. That hen is very likely suffering from (a minimum of, at the very least,) a failing heart. (Way to much to explain here...) but, you will see her get better (or seem to) on the meds. Congestive heart failure is nothing to ignore! Yes. Your procedure (until you re-poked her) was acceptable. However... a hen needing this procedure (especially repeatedly) will live a much happier life if you break down for a single vet visit to start her on medication that "WILL" help. She won't be cured, butm Most likely, she'll be started on a mild diuretic and possibly low dose of meloxicam for her discomfort, and she is in discomfort. My Mrs G didn't live as long as her siblings (avg.'d10 years, 3 lived much longer) but she did live a decent life (almost 5 years) once we added medication to her regimine. The life that it prolongs is lived much happier when "controlling the fluid" becomes part of the regimine. Not just letting it keep building up (and way to long I might add) to the point of difficulty breathing because of so much pressure...! Note: if you have a hen with "egg leakage" (or what ever the egg term was he used) inside, this procedure would do Nothing to help her. Please, "Please..." Please know all the facts all you KZbinrs, some people actually believe everything they see on here and that kind of misinformation I don't see going anywhere good, fast. Yes, you can temporarily maintain a hens life like this, sometimes, even for quite some time. But, why would you want to Not Help her live a better life? If you're willing to start with these procedures to help her, then why not put your pennies aside for a $35ish vet consult, so vet can start the meds these hens should be allowed. Thae same medication that you would demand given the same problem/health concern.

[@carolharmonbowling-young8767]

So sorry. In my frustration at this, my fingers got away from me and it posted too soon. Apologies

[@inwoodeden2440]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I appreciate you taking the time to share them. Your method doesn’t work for me, but I am sure that others will appreciate seeing it. Have a great day.

[@janeking8685]

No chicken vets here ANYWHERE! We do what we can do. What heart meds did you have her on? I have 2 Yorkies in congestive heart failure for years now….they’re on everything. Maybe I could use their meds for my chicken if you’d tell me what and amount?????

[@janeking8685]

Read below please carol….this comment and question was directed to you…..