How to Diagnose and Treat Water Belly & Why Weighing Your Flock is Important

Weighing your backyard chickens may be the easiest way to catch serious health issues early. In episode 25, we explain why regular weight checks are critical for flock health and how sudden changes can signal hidden problems. We also break down water belly in chickens: What the possible causes are and how to diagnose. If you raise backyard chickens and want to prevent loss, improve chicken health, and make informed care decisions, this episode is a must-watch. We encourage you to sign up for a free account at ThePoultryDoc.com and check out our symptom checker. It's a great tool to help diagnose many backyard ailments. If you'd like guaranteed time with a board-certified poultry vet check out our Founding Feather service that includes 2 hours of consultation time over the course of the year along with a stocked first-aid kit and much more. 🩺 Sign up for our free newsletter: https://tpd.fyi/favus 🥚 Connect with us on Facebook:   / poultrydoc   🐔 Follow us on Instagram:   / thepoultrydoc   0:00 Intro 0:31 Why You Should Weigh Your Chickens 1:16 Why a Change in Weight is Often A Warning Sign 2:09 How often to Weigh Your Chicken 3:10 Normal Weight Fluctuations 4:03 What is Water Belly in Chickens 4:16 Water Belly Cause 1: Cystic Right Oviduct 5:05 How to Tell If There Is A Cystic Right Oviduct 5:29 The Chicken Respiratory System 7:05 Water Belly Cause 2: Ascites 9:02 How to Feel for Water Belly 9:33 How to Drain Water belly