Ursula is at least 3 years old ( I got her as a hen) she is a silkie or silkie mix . She has a very enlarged abdomen from her breastbone down. It is even on both sides of the abdomen. It is about the size of a baseball or so and is very hard. I touched it all over and it does not appear to be sore, and it is evenly hard in all places. She seems a little skinny.
She has bright eyes and a good appetite, although she is somewhat more docile than usual ( she is practically feral.) Behaviorwise, I did notice that she no longer flies up to the roost with the other chickens like she usually does, but sleep on the ground with the rest of the silkies.
My first thought was that she was eggbound, due to the distended abdomen, but it is not at all squishy and doesn't feel like there are eggs in there. Also, she is not really lethargic the way they can be. Although, with her abdomen so large and tight, I wouldn't be surprised if she became eggbound. She does not discharge anything weird out of her vent. I have her indoors to help observe her more easily.
Thoughts folks? :(
Distended abdomen but not eggbound?
what is she eating? I am trying to picture where her insides are in realtion to her outsides... has she ever had an injury.... i thought silkies didn't get up on roosts much anyhow...
i am no help at all, and feel real sorry for your hen and for you ^_^♥
someone will chime in shortly that can be of more help...
tf
I probably can't help either--but there is a condition called internal laying where the egg yolks miss the exit altogether and just build up in the abdominal cavity. It is suppose to be fairly common. Is there a farm or avian vet you can speak to?