Unsecure chicken perches

[surfer_chicken]

I got two lovely ex batts at the end of December 2012, Fred and George. Fred feathered up wonderfully and became quite a character, but George has never been well.

 

I posted this a while back in February: http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=85644&p=1173686#p1173686

 

I haven't seen the 'prolapse' since, so I think that was a one off, but has never laid an egg since her rescue. In the end we had to cut away nearly all the feathers from her back end as she was getting them disgustingly mucky in 24 hours. Her abdomen has seemed to continue to grow since we got her in December and is now bigger than a grapefruit. This has caused her over time to begin walking strangely, pointing her feet inwards, causing her to waddle.

 

Picture of how she holds her feet:

 

Picture of her swollen bum:

As you can see it still gets mucky The feathers never grew back either, but then the others she lost in the battery farm on her neck haven't been replaced either. I give her poultry tonic every now and then, but that doesn't seem to help.

 

Despite all this, she has still seemed very perky, loves her treats and gets on fairly well with the other chickens, so I have not worried too much. She can't run around or jump/climb on things, but she wanders around perfectly well. However the past couple of days her stance has completely changed. She used to stand just like a normal chicken would, except the inward pointing feet, but since at least Thursday morning she has been like this:

 

 

and seems a lot less mobile. She doesn't even lean down properly to drink, just moves her neck and seems to peck at the water.

 

My question is, is the game up for George? She's had a good run, 8 months of freedom next week, but I really don't want her to suffer as she already had plenty of that before. I am happy to dispatch her at home if it's needed. And does anyone have any idea what could be wrong with her? I originally thought it was peritonitis, but now I'm not so sure.

 

Thank you

[Tweety]

I'm sorry to say that I think you should take her to see a vet immediately, or despatch her. I would guess she has a very bad case of peritonitis or a tumour.

[Egluntyne]

I agree. She is in a very bad way and needs urgent attention.

[surfer_chicken]

I thought so, my Dad just insisted on a second opinion on here from you guys before I dispatched as he's very fond of her. Thank you