Chicken with bruise and scab on vent...Don't know how she got it

[DianeB]

My chicken that had a difficult time laying eggs one morning. So, I rushed her to the vet. It turned out that she had a bruised vent that caused her to lay eggs prematurely. I gave her antibotics and extra calcium and she seems to have fully recovered.

However, yesterday, when I gave her a bath to remove some poop from ther rear, I saw a thick crescent shaped scab running right underneath her bruise. How did she get this? I assumed that she must have fallen of her roost at night and bruised herself. Now, I think something may have biten her. Do chickens sometimes scab when they clot internally? Is this a sign of a problem? Does anyone have experience with this? I would like to know what happened to prevent it from happening again.

Thank You
DB

 

[ivan3]

What was the treatment provided by the vet?

Keep the area cleaned (betadine and water - should look like weak tea) and apply some plain neosporin to the scabbed area. Keep her separated from other chooks.

Check your coop/run security to make sure something with a taste for your girls doesn't have access. If you could post a picture that would be helpful.

Good luck!

 

[DianeB]

She is alright, now. They put her on Baytrill for 10 days. She bounced right back. I just wanted to know if anyone else had something like this happen to their hen. I don't want to risk it happening again.

 

[threehorses]

I've never heard of that - very odd. Is it possible that the others pecked her seeing the bruise was different? (You know how birds are - they'll peck at anything of interest).

Also, you're certain it's a scab? Very odd!

I wonder if the bruise or vent didn't seep maybe? The bruise is gone yes?

 

[DianeB]

My vet says that with large, deep bruises scabs can form. It was a pretty bad bruise. I am surprised she healed so fast.

I doubt any other chicken pecked at her. She is the top hen.

No one has ever had a hen that bruised her vent? I took out their roosts and it hasn't happened again. Could she have fallen off her roost or did she get attached?

 

[threehorses]

Then I'd say it's what your vet said, which I suppose makes sense as a bruise is really a hematoma, blood under the skin. It could technically seep out.

I tend towards thinking that she hurt her self on the roost rather than an attach, which usually involves broken skin.