Blood in dropping

[welovechickens]

I was cleaning out the chicken house this morning and found a fresh dropping with about 3 spots of bright red blood. It looks like it could possibly be shed intestinal lining, but I wondered if it could be from having just laid. I don't know which of my big hens it came from, although only one is laying at this point. All are acting fine, eating normally.

They are all 8 months old. Could this be cocci? They have been outside on the ground since they were about 4 weeks old. Should I wait and see if I find anymore blood before starting some sort of treatment? It's usually about 65-70F during the day and 35-40F at night.

Any suggestions or helpful links would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[robin416]

I doubt highly its cocci. Internal parasites, such as lung worm, can cause intestinal bleeding. If you have not wormed them before this I would suggest worming with a product that targets lung worm.

There is also a possibility it from laying. Are your hens too heavy? Over weight can cause a problem when hens lay.

 

[welovechickens]

Thanks for your reply!
I haven't noticed any symptoms of worms. I went out and checked as many dropping as I could tonight (we've been gone all day) and I didn't find anymore blood. My hen that is currently laying is definitely on the heavy side, so maybe it was from that. The egg didn't have any blood on it though.

I guess I'll keep a sharp eye out for anymore blood, and if I see more, I guess I'll worm them.

Thanks again!