Water belly is basically caused by overeating and the liver begins draining fluids into the stomach. They tend to waddle when walking. At first I thought she was just fat. Then I realized her lower legs were barely seen when she walked. Thank God for backyard chickens who told me to check...
I was thinking the same thing about feeling the abdomen. I have had 2 hens with water belly and was able to drain some liquids out. Both are fine but I know it can return and most likely will. I have lost 2 other hens that went from impacted crop to sour crop. I tried so hard to follow...