Eglu Go & guinea pig zippi run

[michele]

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 !!

[Egluntyne]

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.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

How is she now? Have you managed to have a look?

[michele]

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.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

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 .

[michele]

I use straw, but it is quite soft and I don't think it would cause a cut.

[emmaw298]

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?

[michele]

I don't think so, her feet look fine - no scales are lifting and her legs look pretty good (except for the blood).

[michele]

She has got blood on her ankles again this morning !!

[Ain't Nobody Here]

I wonder what on earth's causing it? Does it look like peck marks?

[Egluntyne]

Are there any sharp bits on the roosting bars etc?

 

Any signs of vermin?

 

Odd isn't it?

[michele]

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 ?

[Egluntyne]

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.

[michele]

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.

[michele]

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.

[Egluntyne]

Good news.