Bleeding hen

[SurbFarmGirl]

I've searched all over the Internet looking for an answer

I have a broody Buff Orpington .... and yesterday I noticed right above her vent is really bloody. Yesterday I thought it was her vent ... so I was thinking a popped blood vessel .... but upon closer look a few minutes ago, it seems like it's the base of her tail feathers (above her vent). She won't come out of her nesting box ... I was going to isolate her last night.

She's eating (when out of her box) ... and acting like a bratty broody girl. Any ideas what could be wrong??? Seems like a strange area to suddenly be bleeding from.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that one of the other birds is pecking and bullying her. You need to spend some time watching them, especially first thing in the morning. Some chickens high in the pecking order can be bullies, but also look at how much room you have in their coop, are they getting outside most of the day to roam, and are they getting enough protein in their diets. Pictures may help. Does she have missing feathers on her chest, which broody hen usually have? Someone might have wanted the nest box if she is broody. I would remove her to a crate inside the coop until you have time to spend watching them.