I have had chickens for the last few years and have lost a couple suddenly, when they were very young. However, I have had full grown hens with incredible luck in health and laying. A few days ago I noticed that my oldest hen Redd was not acting right. She was waddling and had a messy bottom. So I figured she was egg bound. After following all the info on how to treat that, I finally came to the realization that she was not egg bound, but has a disorder called ascites. Or water belly. After trying everything I could think of through my books and what I could find online, I finally decided that she had this disorder. We culled her and I performed a necropsy and it was definitely that. The poor girl had so much fluid in her belly, I can only imagine how much pain she had been in. I have never put down a chicken for illness or performed a necropsy, but thanks to the many resources I found, both in print and online, I was able to do what needed to be done. My husband dispatched her and I performed a necropsy, which totally alleviated any sadness I had. I could plainly see her illness and know that I had alleviated any further suffering. If anyone is struggling with this decision as I was, because my ladies are my beloved pets, not just livestock - please do your research and rely on the knowledge of others. It helped me and had also given me the peace I need to know I did the right thing.
