Blocked/Dirty Vent in Older Chickens

[july is better]

We recently (2 weeks ago) bought a flock of 23 two year old Plymouth Barred Rocks. They are such nice birds.

A few days ago we noticed especially that one bird was looking sick and had white diarrhea sticking to their feathers near it's vent. It started getting lethargic and just looking generally sick. It's vent was pulsing and red and it looked like there was a scab or some sort of sore hanging off it's vent although now I think it may be something blocking the vent. Yesterday that chicken died. When it died, we noticed that there was blood in it's vent with some poop but we did not see this in any of the poop in the coop or yard. Since that one died we have noticed that there are some other chickens who seem to be exhibiting the same symptoms.

We think it might be cococcidiosis but I thought it might be worth checking on here for some other advice. Because they are older I know it's not necessarily likely that they have it but it seems like the symptoms fit. I have been checking the poop in the yard and I haven't found anything with blood but some of them look like caramel colour.

Any adivce would be helpful! We would really like to keep the rest of the chickens from dying!

Thanks!

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, coccidiosis would be highly unlikely, but with all the different strains,, I would go ahead and treat with Corid. And quick.

 

[july is better]

Thanks! Any idea as to what it could be?

 

[chickenzoo]

I would worm them for good measure. But the bloody blockage you described could have been a prolapse. Sometimes when the internal tissues that surround the egg get pushed out some because of straining. Other chickens can start pecking it causing it to rupture etc.. The weakness of your other chickens makes me think worms,but if you see bloody poo on the others or worming doesn't help then treat for coccidia like SW said........ then this hen developed a prolapse because of her weakened condition . Make sure they all have added calcium also.