Blood in the Chicken Coop - Where'd it come from?

[lilyphoenix]

Yesterday morning I saw this grizzly sight on the feeder in my coop. Looks like some chicken got blood(?) on it's beak and was trying to wipe it off. I didn't see any blood on any of the chickens and they seem fine. Any ideas what might have happened? Anything I should look out for?

 

[cstronks]

Interesting. Check the heads of the birds...somebody may have been pecked on the head and then made contact with the feeder

 

[Wyandottes7]

I'm not sure what could cause this. As cstronks suggested, its possible that one bird injured its head. Look at their beaks too-- if a beak got chipped or broken, it would probably bleed a lot, and could cause this.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm not sure what could cause this. As cstronks suggested, its possible that one bird injured its head. Look at their beaks too-- if a beak got chipped or broken, it would probably bleed a lot, and could cause this.

x2 Also, (though I'm not sure how it would have gotten on the feeder) check their feet, too--broken toenails bleed quite a bit.

 

[lilyphoenix]

When I went out to the coop this morning, my poor rooster's comb was bleeding, I'm guessing it's frostbite (and probably what happened before). I'm not sure how to help him, since he won't let me near him. What can I do to help him? I've read to use Vaseline on the comb, but that's not something I would use on myself, is there any more natural substitute? Any other chicken first aid things I should have on hand?

 

[lilyphoenix]

Poor Roo:

 

[Stewarts]

When I have an injured bird I put Hydrogen Peroxide on the injury to prevent infection. It fizzes when you pour it on but it really helps in healing. Dollar Stores sell a spray bottle of HP now. I also keep my birds in an insulated coup with a light, lots of straw on the floor for added warmth and roosts that are up off the floor. My flock also roosts on top of the nest boxes - warm air rises so its warmer above the floor. When things start getting really cold I will put a heat lamp in there. They go out into the Hutch at the back of the Coup during the day but at night I get them back into the coup.

 

[pwand]

These birds get there combs and wattles wet when drinking the water and then get frostbit. This is what can be done from keepings the birds from getting the wattles and combs from getting wet. Try to imagine an egg poacher without the cups in it. Get a piece of thin plywood and cut round holes in it just big enough for the birds beaks to drink from. It should hopefully float on top of the water or put something under the wood to keep it on the top.

I would use vaseline, need to stop the bleeding or the other birds will peck on him.