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[chuckmum6]

Today when I got home and went to collect the eggs and shut my chicken in their cube run, I found blood in the nest box. There were a few tiny splashes around the favored laying end and a small amount on the eggs, more smeared around the divider, it was bright red blood. I took all of them out of bed to have a good look at all 9, especially all their vents, but no sign at all. I have a young hen in her first lay who has been laying for about 2/3 weeks and am wondering if it was her. I can't see any signs of cuts or blood on any of them when I handled them. I wonder if this was a result of a hen straining????? Any ideas?

I hate this time of year as I only see them in daylight at the weekends so don't feel like I have been able to do the through inspection by torch light.

Edited January 24, 2011 by Guest

[percy049]

I think it may be that they just strained a bit too much trying to lay - most likely the young one. i think their skin is still a bit tight as they have on just started laying

[Plum]

If one had a bit of difficulty laying then another could have pecked her vent while it was everted during laying. The wound would disappear after laying. I would give the one with blood on her a spray on the rear with purple spray and just keep an eye on them all.

[chuckmum6]

Thanks I am hoping that it is just straining, I haven't found any blood on any of the hens though.

[Plum]

Sorry I read it as faverolle may just be a snagged toenail

[chuckmum6]

Been out with OH and had another look together, not a sign of blood on any chicken, just ruffled feathers and cross chooks! Hopefully they are all ok.

[Plum]

Mine give me the evil eye when I disturb them at night

[Salop Chuck]

Another possibility could be that one of your hens attacked and killed a small bird like a sparrow then picked it up and ran away from the other hens and into the nest box to eat. I have had this experience myself with Connie, my Light Sussex - the blood around her face was a giveaway. Although I didn't actually witness this happening, the profuse and widespread splattering of bright red blood started on the ground where the sparrows come down to feed. I followed the trace of blood back to the nest box. No sparrow corpse to be found anywhere so she must have eaten it. I think it is the dinosaur instincts coming out. I examined all the hens and no injuries on any of them.

 

This is only a surmise about what may have happened in your situation.

[Chucky Mama]

I found blood smeared in the nest box once an never got to the bottom of it.

[chuckmum6]

All seems well today, no blood, don't know what's been going on, they could have had a bit of bird but I think it was egg problems. Phew glad they are ok, from what I can see in the dark!

[Salop Chuck]

Glad things have settled down and your girls are acting normally. Sincerely hope the egg problem resolves itself too. These dark winter nights and short days make it difficult to observe your hens when you are working all day. At least the days are starting to get longer.