Bulge under vent

[CMcT]

My 1.5 year old Easter Egger has a quarter size soft bulge under her vent, accompanied by new onset missing feathers. The bulge’s edges are prominent, like a little squishy ball, and swelling isn’t generalized to the entire abdomen. She just recently recovered from a prolapsed vent a few weeks ago and has reintegrated back with her flock without any issues. She is eating/drinking fine and acting normal, but I have separated her once again to avoid any bullying. I soaked her in a warm epsom salt bath, sprayed it with antibacterial spray and applied an antibiotic ointment as some of the areas where the feathers were missing have some scabs. I tried to find similar cases, but others have seemed more extreme than hers. She laid her first egg on Monday which was normal, but Tuesday it was soft. She has access to oyster shell, but I did give her supplemental calcium drops to avoid another soft shell egg.

 

[SmiYa0126]

@Wyorp Rock @Eggcessive can you help ?

 

[Weeg]

I wish I had some advice for you. It could be related to her recent reproductive issues. Interested to see what others say. Following to learn more.
Crossing my fingers for her!

 

[Eggcessive]

I have no answers, but I wonder if she has been getting her back end pecked. The area may be irritated and thin skinned. Sometimes hernias will develop from irritation or pecking that weakens the abdominal wall. She should be protected from pecking.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I'm not sure what's going with the slight bulge.
I do agree, it looks like she's getting plucked, you mention a new onset of missing feathers, so the others may be pecking at her a bit if you just re-integrated her.

I'd put some NuStock cream or Hen Healer on the bare skin to help protect it and these may help deter some picking as well.

 

[CMcT]

I'm not sure what's going with the slight bulge.
I do agree, it looks like she's getting plucked, you mention a new onset of missing feathers, so the others may be pecking at her a bit if you just re-integrated her.

I'd put some NuStock cream or Hen Healer on the bare skin to help protect it and these may help deter some picking as well.

I did the Hen Healer but the blue seemed to attract more than deter, so I soaked and put some antibiotic ointment. I sat outside and watched her for hours, seemingly unbothered and happy foraging with her crew. When the other hen did pick a little at her behind it was not aggressive but looked as though more out of curiosity. She was interrupted immediately, and found something else to do.

Is there any kind of binder I can put on her bottom to secure the hernia?

Any ideas on how to stop her from laying, besides from bringing her inside and doesn’t require vet services? Towards the end of her prolapse recovery she seemed to be getting depressed from being inside although I spent the majority of the day with her coddling her. As soon as I brought her back out she was happy and thriving.

 

[CMcT]

I have no answers, but I wonder if she has been getting her back end pecked. The area may be irritated and thin skinned. Sometimes hernias will develop from irritation or pecking that weakens the abdominal wall. She should be protected from pecking.

I have her in a smaller coop with an attached run next to the rest of the flock for now. I hope one day of butt pecking hasn’t caused such irreversible damage.

Any ideas on what I can apply besides the Hen Healer, something more or a bandage or a binder?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is there any kind of binder I can put on her bottom to secure the hernia?

Any ideas on how to stop her from laying, besides from bringing her inside and doesn’t require vet services? Towards the end of her prolapse recovery she seemed to be getting depressed from being inside although I spent the majority of the day with her coddling her. As soon as I brought her back out she was happy and thriving.

She has tiny wounds/pluck marks on tissue. I'd keep watch on it so flies aren't landing and causing flystrike (monitor for maggots).
Any lice or mites on her?
She may be trying to pick at herself as well if she's uncomfortable.

You can try the Nu Stock or Pine Tar. The pickers probably won't like the taste of either of those.

You think it's a hernia?

To stop laying, she would need to be placed in total darkness for 16hours each day, this can take weeks to stop ovulation, how many depends on the hen.

Suprelorin Implants is another way to stop ovulation. This is through a vet and could be $$$, it does not to be repeated every few months.

I understand you want to do all you can for her. Getting the tissue under the vent healed up is what I'd try to do. Hens are so much happier being with their flock and outside instead of sequestered to isolation.

 

[CMcT]

I have no answers, but I wonder if she has been getting her back end pecked. The area may be irritated and thin skinned. Sometimes hernias will develop from irritation or pecking that weakens the abdominal wall. She should be protected from pecking.

She has tiny wounds/pluck marks on tissue. I'd keep watch on it so flies aren't landing and causing flystrike (monitor for maggots).
Any lice or mites on her?
She may be trying to pick at herself as well if she's uncomfortable.

You can try the Nu Stock or Pine Tar. The pickers probably won't like the taste of either of those.

You think it's a hernia?

To stop laying, she would need to be placed in total darkness for 16hours each day, this can take weeks to stop ovulation, how many depends on the hen.

Suprelorin Implants is another way to stop ovulation. This is through a vet and could be $$$, it does not to be repeated every few months.

I understand you want to do all you can for her. Getting the tissue under the vent healed up is what I'd try to do. Hens are so much happier being with their flock and outside instead of sequestered to isolation.

This morning I did a wash, antimicrobial spray and some ointment followed by a tea tree oil spray to deter any pecking. No mites that I can see. She’s got plenty of food, water, some meal worms, oyster shell, and diatomaceous earth.

I’m hoping the pluck marks are just irritated and will heal with care, but I am not 100% on what is going on. She has been doing so well, I had to see her deteriorate. She is still happy and looks healthy otherwise!

When I get home I plan on letting them all out to forage and will see how that goes.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[CMcT]

She has tiny wounds/pluck marks on tissue. I'd keep watch on it so flies aren't landing and causing flystrike (monitor for maggots).
Any lice or mites on her?
She may be trying to pick at herself as well if she's uncomfortable.

You can try the Nu Stock or Pine Tar. The pickers probably won't like the taste of either of those.

You think it's a hernia?

To stop laying, she would need to be placed in total darkness for 16hours each day, this can take weeks to stop ovulation, how many depends on the hen.

Suprelorin Implants is another way to stop ovulation. This is through a vet and could be $$$, it does not to be repeated every few months.

I understand you want to do all you can for her. Getting the tissue under the vent healed up is what I'd try to do. Hens are so much happier being with their flock and outside instead of sequestered to isolation.

Watching her outside today it looks as though she is the only culprit.

This morning I did a wash, antimicrobial spray and some ointment followed by a tea tree oil spray to deter any pecking. No mites that I can see. She’s got plenty of food, water, some meal worms, oyster shell, and diatomaceous earth.

I’m hoping the pluck marks are just irritated and will heal with care, but I am not 100% on what is going on. She has been doing so well, I had to see her deteriorate. She is still happy and looks healthy otherwise!

When I get home I plan on letting them all out to forage and will see how that goes.

Thank you all for your help!

Do you think it could be feather cyst?