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

[twinkle1001]

Ive got 4 exbatts (out of cage since June this year) and 2 pure bred girls but last week I found my oldest exbatt (out of cage August 2008) dead on the floor of the run. She had been fine the evening before and also in the morning, there was food in her crop so she had clearly not been feeling unwell. What is disturbing is that there seemed to be blood all down the back of her legs and coming out of her vent. Our run is a large wooden framed cage and up several struts there seems to be splattered blood.

Does any one have any idea what could have happened or if it could be contagious for my remaining 6 girls?

Many thanks

Abbi

Florrie

Madge

Winnie

Atilla the Hen

Betty

Pearl

[Redwing]

Had her vent prolapsed? lots of chickens will peck at a prolapsed vent I hate to say it but whatever happened it sounds like the others may have caused her injury somehow, it doesnt sound like an illness to me but then I am not terribly experienced

 

Hopefully someone will be along soon to advise

[BeckyBoo]

How upsetting, sound like a prolapse to me as well although I am NOT an expert and as Redwing said, chickens will attack any blood. I love them dearly but they're horrible really. It may have happened as she tried to lay, if she's an ex batt she'll have been fairly worn out poor thing so maybe it all just caught up with her. Would have been fairly quick at least if she was well last time you saw her. And she had 12 months of freedom which is the best bit. Doesn't sound like a contagious illness otherwise she'd have been going downhill for a day or two before

 

Lots of love

 

BeckyBoo

[twinkle1001]

Thanks both for your replies - my Amberlee has had a prolapse in the past (only once, no repeat) so I know what they look like by Valerie (the dead girl) didnt appear to have anything like that - was just a normal looking vent with blood around it - looked perfectly normal inside, as far as we could see.

You are right, Im glad she had a year outside in the sunshine but interviews are hastily taking place to replace her as top hen!

Abbi

Florrie

Winnie

Madge

Atilla the Hen

Betty

Pearl