concerned in ohio...

[jvchickens]

Recently I had 6 chickens. Over the weekend we came home to 2 dead chickens, feathers everywhere, one chicken had all its feathers off it neck. No signs of anything getting into the coop. I have a third chicken that has all her feathers off her breast and she has a very large red featherless lump below her neck line. I left her out of the fenced yard area and did not allow her in the fenced in coop away from the three remaining chickens , Overnight the lumps decreased in size but by mid day it was enlarged and red again. She has not been back in the coop area with others. I am seriously concerned no one can tell us what this might be, we fear eating her eggs, I can't let her back in the coop with others not knowing which egg might be hers. we took pictures of her and took tractor supply and spoke with a gentleman who also raises and he was freaked out and could not tell us what he thought it could be, never seen anything like it, suggested posting on this site.......HELP any ideas any suggestions!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Sorry about the birds you lost. You might want to post in the Predator forum for help with figuring out what predator you are dealing with and what to do about it www.backyardchickens.com/f/13/predators-and-pests

And try posting the pictures of your sick bird in the Emergencies forum www.backyardchickens.com/f/10/emergencies-diseases-injuries-and-cures

 

[azygous]

You need to expand on the information you are presenting to us. The picture may be complete in your mind but what little you've told us isn't enough for anyone to even begin to try to help you.

What time of day did you discover the deaths? How long had you been gone? Where were the bodies found, inside the coop or out in the run? Are you certain that a very small crevice or loose fitting door could not have permitted a weasel or rat to enter?

Small predators can squeeze through the smallest openings, and an owl can glide through a tiny opening up high where you would think nothing could possibly enter.

As for the mysterious lump which was small in the morning but large by mid-day, my guess it's the hen's crop you're seeing. It's normal for it to do what it's doing.

If I were you, I would go over that coop and run very carefully, looking for a door or window or vent that may not be tight fitting, allowing a predator to squeeze it open and slip though. Look up high for cracks an owl might slip through. Even a ten-inch wide crack will suffice. Owls fold in their wings as they go though the hole, so don't underestimate the size needed for entry.

My guess is that a predator was responsible for this tragedy. You need to try to figure out how it gained entry or it will be back for the rest of the chickens.

 

[jvchickens]

Attached is a picture of our featherless bird. She has been in this condition for about three weeks

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