Bleeding Toes!

[Hazelbunny]

Does anyone know what would cause bleeding Toes? This is the second time I found one of my hens with blood on her toe. I found blood on a shelf like thing that the chickens like and on the ground. I will post pictures is it can figure it out.

I'm worried that it might turn into a big problem, and I want to do what ever I can to help my chickens.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

is it possible you have rats? I understand that they will go after chickens' toes at night. My other question is how cold is it there? is it possible its frost bite?

 

[Hazelbunny]

is it possible you have rats? I understand that they will go after chickens' toes at night. My other question is how cold is it there? is it possible its frost bite?

It's pretty cold where I am, it's like -14c. I live in eastern ontario so it gets pretty cold. We are also battling rats but we are slightly winning.

 

[Shadyfarms]

My bet would be rats nibbling at the toes. Have you checked the ground/coop for any nails/screws that they could be injuring themselves on? A pointy part on the roost? It is cold where I live too, have not seen a foot bleed like that though.

 

[Hazelbunny]

My bet would be rats nibbling at the toes. Have you checked the ground/coop for any nails/screws that they could be injuring themselves on? A pointy part on the roost? It is cold where I live too, have not seen a foot bleed like that though.

Not too long ago I did a check for any sharp objects when the first chicken was bleeding, there was nothing.

 

[Hazelbunny]

is it possible you have rats? I understand that they will go after chickens' toes at night. My other question is how cold is it there? is it possible its frost bite?

My bet would be rats nibbling at the toes. Have you checked the ground/coop for any nails/screws that they could be injuring themselves on? A pointy part on the roost? It is cold where I live too, have not seen a foot bleed like that though.

Have you ever had rats? And if so, how did you get rid of Them?

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I'm battling them right now. The biggest thing I do is remove the source of food, the chicken feed, at night. They'd have to work really hard to chew into my coop though.

 

[Hazelbunny]

I'm battling them right now. The biggest thing I do is remove the source of food, the chicken feed, at night. They'd have to work really hard to chew into my coop though.

I take away the feeder at night and I haven't left the feed bin opened so the food is locked up. Something you should try for your rats is avocado skin, avocado skin is very poisonous for most animals and kill a rat in my house before.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I know rats hate mint, so I'm planning on planting more around my run and coop. I'm hoping that will help.

 

[Shadyfarms]

Only way to solve a rat problem is to figure out how they are getting into your coop and plugging the hole. Otherwise they will keep coming back. Make sure you close the chicken doors at night.