sage Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 Just had 2 girls within 10 days with bleeding vents. Mavis the other week now Vera has a wound. I cleaned it up and popped her in the cat basket till I can get some more purple spray. Anyone got any ideas as to why it's happening and how I can stop it. Have kept a close eye on them after Mavis was hurt but I have know idea as who is doing it. No signs of bullying. Had a few shelless eggs been layed and Mavis & Vera are usually the girls to lay them. I was wondering if the other girls are seeing a bit of shell coming out the vent and having a peck to get at it?. They have plenty to do in the run, cabbages an pecka balls to have a go at. Im at a loss as to why this has suddenly started so any advise will be helpfull. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 13, 2010 Share Posted December 13, 2010 It may be that they are attracted by a bit of egg membrane poking out, but also it could just be the sight of a pulsing vent as the hen struggles to lay a softie. You really need to act quickly to save those hens - get a bumper bit on the bully and isolate her for 48 hours to give the others a rest. Some limestone flour and cod liver oil in the feed may well sort out the soft shell issue. Only yesterday I had to despatch a hen for someone after it had had its vent pecked very nastily by their other hen; unfortunately it was beyond repair and fatal if left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 It may be that they are attracted by a bit of egg membrane poking out, but also it could just be the sight of a pulsing vent as the hen struggles to lay a softie. Think you are right, no sign of vent pecking. The problem I have now is Veras wound opens up every time she lays. I check it each morning and clean it if needed. She has purple spray on her vent. Is there any thing I can put on the wound. I wish she wouldn't lay for a few weeks it give it time to heel. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 I'd clean it up and spray some of that spray on plaster over it to see if that will encourage it to heal. If it's a split, then the vet may need to pop a stitch in to help it close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 It's probably scabbing over and will split when stretched. I would try some cream like sudocrem to keep the scab soft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 Thanks for the ideas, she dose have a large scab on her vent. I have plenty of sudocrem so will cream her bum in a morning. She hasn't layed all week till this morning so she got told off whilst I cleaned her bum. Cheers Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 Have you got her segregated or is she with the others? I'd switch her onto growers feed in an attempt to stop her laying until it is healed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted December 17, 2010 Author Share Posted December 17, 2010 As there wasn't any sign of bullying and she is smelling of Ukadex and has a purple bum I left her in with the others, I will try them all on growers they all could do with a rest from laying still getting 4-5 eggs a day from 6 ex bat girls. Thanks Claret Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
