Dropsy?

[peeejaay]

Hi All,
I dispatched a hen yesterday. She was an ex-battery who we got last year in May. She started her moult when we got her, but it only lasted about two weeks. She then layed right through winter until about five weeks ago. She did not start moulting this year. She still had a bright red comb as though she was laying.
Anyway, on dressing her yesterday, I found her to full of water and I do mean full. She had a couple of eggs in her but her whole insides were covered with small bumps-would this have been coccidiosis? She has been wormed and was never ill other than a slight sneeze ever since we got her. Does anyone have any idea what this might have been? I should add that we still ate her.
PJ

[RichmondHens]

Have no idea but will see if I can find out.

I have to say you were brave to eat her, I think I would not have done so. The usual rule is only to eat fit and healthy birds. I know you despatched her instead of having her die on you, but I think if I had found what you found I would have put her in the bin!

[Suechooks]

The water was probably due to heart failure or other organ failure. Most of my ex-batts have had this in some degree. Some have been diagnosed with tumours.
No idea about the bumps though.

[Snadger]

The hen I dispatched yesterday was also full of water. After I had broken her neck and after she stopped flapping, water ran from her beak. When I laid her on the ground water ran from her behind also?
She was old and I didn't eat her though. She was cremated in my woodburner.

[jessmorris]

Is what you are describing ascites? or water belly? a chick of mine had it and died from it..

[kittykat8]

maybe I am to soft, but I think it is terrible that you eat her, being an exbat hen, my chickens are pets but I can except this is not the case with everyone, but an exbat t is not right to my way of thinking.

[walldanzig]

I think it's all down to individual choice and what works for one doesn't for another. The only thing I will add is when you described the condition of the chicken and what was wrong with it then added you ate it it did make me feel a bit ill.

[Suechooks]

Is what you are describing ascites? or water belly? a chick of mine had it and died from it..

Yes it is Jess