Eglu cube or go up with 2m run

[mark.pedlar]

Two of our 3 hens have got red, inflamed bellies (not crops). We have only been getting 1 egg per day for months, when last summer we were getting 1 per day from each. Tried worming but hasn't made a difference.

 

Otherwise they seem active and healthy, just not laying, though the one with the reddest belly has also had encrusted feathers around the vent area for some time.

 

Could anyone explain what the red, inflamed bellies could indicate, please.

[Mrs Frugal]

Could be mites? They leave the skin looking sore, red and featherless so it might be worth treating them for skin parasites. The encrusted vent area sounds like lice eggs so I'd treat them anyway. Repeat after a week to catch any eggs which have hatched out in the meantime.

[mark.pedlar]

Thanks for the helpful suggestions from everybody who has responded.

[Blackrocksrock]

One of mine has a bare tummy and flattened feathers round it but its due to her leaning through the netting to get to the other side and having a job getting back! - Can't really do anything about it though.