4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[nutcracker]

I've just noticed one of my chickens has a horrible sore bottom. We've had a look and it looks like red raw meat and pus and the other two chickens keep pecking at it. This has happened only today, as she laid this morning, as usual (and I don't think she could lay through that without getting blood on the eggs). She is trying to spend her time sat on the nest box, to keep the other two girls off it, I assume. At the moment, I have shut her in the run and the other two are shut out of it, in the garden. Obviously I will ring the vet tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to do about tonight - I'll have to let the other two back into the eglu. Anyone got any knowledge of this sort of thing, or advice, please? She doesn't appear to be in distress, but it looks awful!

[Space Chick]

I'm certainly no expert, but I would suggest that you keep her separate until after you have seen the vet. As there have been stories about really bad pecking from other hens.

 

It could be a prolapse, but then that shouldn't have pus?

 

I'm sure someone will have better advice soon.

[nutcracker]

Thanks Debs. My husband just said "are you sure it's pus" and the answer has to be, no, but it was white - I must say I didn't poke about at it to see!!

[Egluntyne]

I would separate her from the others at once as they will make matters much worse by pecking at her, and examine it carefully, and bathe with tepid water.

 

If you could describe whether it is just her nether regions, or whether it is the vent which is affected (ie the laying tackle turning itself inside out) it would help.

 

If it is pus that you are observing, she needs to see a vet I'm afraid.

[nutcracker]

Thanks Egluntine. They are separated at the moment, but the eglu is the only secure place for them at night. I just hope Matilda has the sense to sit tight on the nest box all night (I think she will - she's there at the moment). In the morning, I will shut the others out in the garden as soon as I get up, as they are now. Actually I wonder if I could put Matilda into the plastic cat carrier over night, with some straw in the bottom? She won't like not being in her normal place though. I could leave the carrier open to the run, and shut the other two in the eglu .... Thinking aloud here, please say, anybody, if you think my ideas are any good or rubbish.

[ClaireG]

Yes, i would put her in the cat carrier if i were you over night.

[Chucky Mama]

Personally I would gently bathe the area in dilute salt water (1 teaspoon to 1 pint of water) and pat dry. The if she will settle there I would put her in the pet carrier with with shredded paper rather than straw (less dust etc to get stuck in the discharging area). She may settle better in the dark. Just my optinion though. Good luck, I hope all goes well overnight.

[Carol U]

I agree with previous posts. Definitely separate her from the others and bathe her if you can. She will go to sleep in the pet carrier as soon as it's dark.

Gook luck, and do let us know how you get on.

[nutcracker]

Thanks for your support everyone - it really does help.

 

I just hope I can manage to bathe her bottom (once my husband gets home to help) without being sick - I've never been very good with bottom areas, although I know I owe it to her to try.

[Chucky Mama]

Dont worry if you cant, just keep her comfortable and off bedding that will contaminate the area further.

[Ain't Nobody Here]

Only just found this . I hope you managed to clean her up a bit and good luck at the vet's tomorrow .

[Jenna]

My hen has the exact same thing, it sounds like; I've researched it, and found on this website that it's a burst blood vessel from laying a huge egg; the other hens peck at the blood, so the best thing to do is keep her separate. The site is http://www.vegexchange.com/ChickenBlog.aspx the article towards the end. I hope this helps, it really relieved me as it doesn't seem too serious!

 

Jenna

[nutcracker]

Many thanks all for your suggestions and support.

 

She's better -- woooo!

 

Still don't know what it was, but we kept her separate from the other girls, which didn't seem to bother any of them (although the healthy ones seemed rather put out because Matilda was free ranging in the garden and they weren't - not fair!) and the bottom gradually cleared up. You'll be proud of me - we did manage to clean her up (well, actually, hubby cleaned her up while I held on to her and looked in the other direction!)

 

Anyway, we reunited them last night, and all seems well this morning.

 

Thanks again

[Chucky Mama]

phew, I was quite worried! Thanks for the update