michele Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I have just got 2 new hens, who are currently isolated from my old hens. This morning I let them out and noticed that one of them had blood on both her feet - HELP !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Can you grab her and examine her? Maybe she has torn a nail or cut the sole of her foot. I would bathe it very gently so as not to dislodge any scab that might have started to form. A bit of water with either salt or a few drops of tea tree oil should do the trick. You will then be able to assess whether it is serious or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 How is she now? Have you managed to have a look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 Thanks for your concern. She seems to have a small cut on both ankles (do hens have ankles?) which has now started to scab over. What do you think caused it ? Could the other hen have pecked her - it seems to have happened overnight because the blood was fresh this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 What do you use in your nesting box? I've heard of long shredded paper or straw getting tangled round their ankles. Don't know if that could cause a cut though . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 I use straw, but it is quite soft and I don't think it would cause a cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaw298 Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 could it be scaly leg mites which are irritating her and she is trying to peck at them?? bit of a random thought I know... are there any signs of leg mites such as the scales lifting off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 14, 2008 Author Share Posted September 14, 2008 I don't think so, her feet look fine - no scales are lifting and her legs look pretty good (except for the blood). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 She has got blood on her ankles again this morning !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I wonder what on earth's causing it? Does it look like peck marks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 Are there any sharp bits on the roosting bars etc? Any signs of vermin? Odd isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 I can't find any sharp bits on the bars or in the house and I am sure that it is not vermin. The marks could be peck marks. Do hens sometimes peck at each others feet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 The marks could be peck marks. Do hens sometimes peck at each others feet ? Yes they do. You could try spraying her feet with something bitter tasting, like Tea Tree Spray or antipeck spray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 15, 2008 Author Share Posted September 15, 2008 Thanks Egluntine - what a good idea. I have sprayed her feet with Tea Tree Spray. See what happens tomorrow morning when I let them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 There was no fresh blood on her legs this morning, so it looks like the tea tree spray worked - thanks. Will spray again tonight and keep watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Good news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
