Bloody hens, but no visible injuries!

[chickenpiedpiper]

Scary sight awaited me this morning, I went out for the usual chores, and was greeted in the usual fashion, but three of my hens where covered with blood! it was all over thier necks and backs! I checked them over very carefully, and couldnt find any evidence of a wound, and given the even distribution over all three, I figured the blood had to have come from someone sitting on the next rung up!

I think I found the area where the wounded bird might have sat, but that doesnt help me narrow it down, I have looked at everyones feet and legs as best I can, with no signs of wounds! every one seems perky too.... However, now I have three hens, two of which are white that look they live in a slaughter house!

Any body know how to wash blood out of feathers?

 

[okiehen]

Do you have a rooster? If so check him it may be his comb and or wattles. And he may even have a spur off or foot cut etc.

 

[FisherMOM]

could they have killed a mouse?

 

[chickenchok]

what about coxi? one may be bleeding from the vent and the others getting into it?

 

[horsejody]

Vampire chickens. They turn into bats at night and sneak out of the coop to wreak havoc on the countryside. They come back before dawn covered in the blood of their victims. It's the only reasonable explanation.

 

[chickenpiedpiper]

lol cute jody!!

I found the cause! One of my tiniest hens, who sits on the top 'bantam' rung is missing a toenail! Just the tip of the toe is gone, with the nail, and she is quite sore. I didnt notice it before, because she has a bad knee in that same leg, so she always limps! well, we have some pain meds for her knee, so we have given her that.

I can only assume that after the injury, she sat on her rung, and proceeded to bleed on every one! I cant imagine how she lost the toe tho!

Strange!

 

[FisherMOM]

One of my chicks got a broken toenail yesterday too... only half though.. and there was quite a bit of blood on his stomach from sitting on it.