2nd vent prolapse, what is going on?

[peaceful]

I just found another hen with a vent prolapse. This is my second this spring in 11 month old chickens. Why would I be getting this? Is it connected with a vitamin deficiency? Disease? Bacteria? My first recovered, although her poos were very stinky, and I returned her to the flock. Could she somehow spread the condition?

 

[LynneP]

Not contagious, don;t worry on that count.

This time of year as hens lay bigger eggs, they need more calcium for shells and in muscle contractions.

Are your hens getting lots of calcium? Even if there is calcium in feed it's a good idea to give them ground shells as a precaution.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Are these chicks you hatched? It can be a heriditary condition or as LynneP said.

 

[peaceful]

Thanks for your help! The chickens have layer feed as well as oyster shell, and will put ground up eggshell in there today.
I got them from a hatchery last spring as day olds, 5 different breeds (mostly bantams), and the prolapses have shown up in two hens of different breeds; a dutch bantam and now bantam RIR.