abbewesty Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Hi All I posted the following a few weeks ago about my hen, Dusty Bottom, who had a bleeding vent. viewtopic.php?f=11&t=57871 The good news is Dusty seems to be doing really well. She's been a little bit withdrawn but her vent has heeled and there has been no more bleeding. She has not laid an egg however and her vent is a little messy (it looks like an eggy dried discharge). The feathers around her vent are also a bit mucky. Otherwise, she is eating and drinking and happy enough. I have been keeping her isolated from my other hen, Lucky. Lucky has been living in the greenhouse, but gets quite stressed out when she wants to lay (as she will only lay in the hen house), so I have been swopping then around as much as humanly possible (sadly, I do occassionally have to go to work!!). They still see each other everyday. I have tried to put them back together twice and both times within minutes Lucky has tried to peck Dusty's vent, once drawing a small amount of blood. Dusty gets very upset and runs away. It's almost as if she knows Lucky will peck her..... I am worried that Lucky may be a bully as a week previous to the bleeding vent, Dusty had a wounded comb?? It's silly, but I'm quite stressed out by the whole situation because both hens are unhappy and I'm having to spend all day moving them from one house to the other!! Someone will take Lucky off my hands if needs be (to a good home!!), but I would obviously like to keep them both as I am worried that Dusty would be lonely on her own.... Anyway, sorry for the long post but I really do not know what to do for the best!! Thanks so much Abbe x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 They don't forget quickly do they . Guess you could try the anti-pecking stuff or ukadex or a bumper bit. Glad she has healed up though, that is good news I think with having dirty feathers and stuff round vent will be attracting the other one. I would give her a bath and when clean and fluffy the vent will be hidden from your other. I blow dry them with hairdryer if I have to give their bums a wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I'd go for a bumperbit on the aggressor as all else has failed. If there is an eggy discharge still oozing from Dusty's vent, I would suggest that there is something still amiss with her laying gear and I would recommend that you have her looked at by a vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbewesty Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Thanks for the advice.....a further development today - I saw what looked like a white coloured worm in Dusty's poo (kind of grub-like). I have been using a natural wormer (Diatom), but from reading the forum I will start them on course of Flubervet. I will also bathe Dusty and give her a blast with the hair dryer........that'll get the neighbours talking!! Stupid question, but when bathing chickens what (if any) products should be used!! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I just use water and a bit of washing up liquid but rinse it out really well, then towel and blow dry before putting outside. When it's cold like this it may be best to keep them inside overnight so you are sure they are dry but I just worry a lot. Parasites explains a lot then. I would wonder about flystrike from your description of a grub except at this time of year I would think it unlikely if not impossible. You may find something interesting as you wash her How about a photo of your grub like worm for us curious lot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbewesty Posted February 3, 2010 Author Share Posted February 3, 2010 Ok, hopefully she'll enjoy her shampoo and set...... I will see if I can get a photo on tomorrow. Thanks for the advice......I would be lost without the forum!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...