Vent Gleet or Water Belly?
Hello! Please excuse format, as I'm still learning the ways of Reddit posting.
When cleaning on of my runs this morning, I noticed one of my 11 month old hens had a reddish bum that looked inflamed. At first, I believed it to be picking from other hens, because they recently pulled out my roosters tail feathers. I have not been able to pin-point who the bully(s) are but I have my rooster separated for now. However, once I picked my lady up, I noticed this area was a bit squishy and warm but not hot. She isn't bothered when I touch it, and her vent does not look prolapsed.
Immediately, I separated her, got a warm epson salt bath going and soaked her. I have not noticed any strange poops in the run to indicate Vent gleet, and her behavior is completely normal. Eating and drinking is normal as well. She is not lethargic or showing any signs of ailment.
However, I noticed yesterday evening while collecting the eggs, that there appeared to be yolk on all the eggs in the middle nesting box. Not a single cracked egg, but a thick yellow/orangeish dried substance on all 9 eggs in that particular box. Which, makes me wonder if this could possibly be an internal egg break? I thought the vent area was the only affected inflamed/squishy area but it extends underneath to the area right between her legs.
What is the best course of treatment besides the epson salt soak and isolation until she's healed? Should I try the topical treatment for Vent Gleet and monitor?
Pictures attached to show the swollen and wet bum from her rinse before she went back into a clean epson bath.
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