Hatching with 2 broodies

[16 paws]

I just googled "chickens swollen legs" and came up with a few links. Sadly most (unless it is mites) suggested the swelling is often caused by kidney/liver failure or even avian leukemia. Wish I had found something more positive. Article an avian leukemia here: http://www.countrysmallholding.com/poultry/avian_leukemia_1_3493401

Thanks for the research.
Funny thing is she looks really healthy other than the legs. I did notice she has these very fine red lines going down or up the legs, looks like fine scratches. I dont think they are scratches because they havent went away. But she has no symptoms of being ill and the comb is very bright red.


Can anyone tell me if she is a girl or boy?

 

[MistyMountain]

Can anyone tell me if she is a girl or boy?

How old?

 

[MistyMountain]

Marie,
I can not tell if there are saddle or hackle feathers. If there are not, I say girl. Here is a pic of one of the bachelor leghorns at 17 weeks. And one of a hen I lost this summer. My other two leghorn hens have combs that flop over. Clarabelle did not. Roo first.

Eta. Pics not working.

 

[16 paws]

How old?

4 months old.
Tried to post more pictures but wouldnt let me load them. Whats up with the pictures? I have never had a problem before.

Here is the swollen legs....

 

[Sonya9]

Uhhh...just discovered there was a major disaster last night in the hen house. Younger broody is dead, 3 chicks are gone (dead too).

It had to be a snake, Bella the younger broody had not even one drop of blood on her but it was obvious the snake tried to swallow her head first and couldn't get past her shoulders. Also large swirl tracks in the PDZ under the perch where there should have been chicken prints.

Uh...this is my fault. I have chain link and hardwire around the "small run" that gets closed every night but I know I have seen a field rat in there eating chicken food. I am sure the snake picked up the scent of the rat and followed it to the tiny hole into the hardwired run, then discovered Bella and the chicks on the coop floor.

Sad day here.

Older Broody is obviously very upset this morning, she keeps "crowing" loudly and that is the first time I have ever heard her do that.

 

[ItalyChickie]

Uhhh...just discovered there was a major disaster last night in the hen house. Younger broody is dead, 3 chicks are gone (dead too).

It had to be a snake, Bella the younger broody had not even one drop of blood on her but it was obvious the snake tried to swallow her head first and couldn't get past her shoulders. Also large swirl tracks in the PDZ under the perch where there should have been chicken prints.

Uh...this is my fault. I have chain link and hardwire around the "small run" that gets closed every night but I know I have seen a field rat in there eating chicken food. I am sure the snake picked up the scent of the rat and followed it to the tiny hole into the hardwired run, then discovered Bella and the chicks on the coop floor.

Sad day here.

Older Broody is obviously very upset this morning, she keeps "crowing" loudly and that is the first time I have ever heard her do that.

Oh no!!! I am so sorry!

I don't know what to say... snakes are so darn sneaky, I have seen them get through the tiniest holes around here too. I hope the older broody and remaining (2?) chicks are ok.

 

[Farmer Viola]

Uhhh...just discovered there was a major disaster last night in the hen house. Younger broody is dead, 3 chicks are gone (dead too).

It had to be a snake, Bella the younger broody had not even one drop of blood on her but it was obvious the snake tried to swallow her head first and couldn't get past her shoulders. Also large swirl tracks in the PDZ under the perch where there should have been chicken prints.

Uh...this is my fault. I have chain link and hardwire around the "small run" that gets closed every night but I know I have seen a field rat in there eating chicken food. I am sure the snake picked up the scent of the rat and followed it to the tiny hole into the hardwired run, then discovered Bella and the chicks on the coop floor.

Sad day here.

Older Broody is obviously very upset this morning, she keeps "crowing" loudly and that is the first time I have ever heard her do that.

Sonya

*hugs* I am so sorry for your loss

 

[Sonya9]

Oh no!!! I am so sorry!

I don't know what to say... snakes are so darn sneaky, I have seen them get through the tiniest holes around here too. I hope the older broody and remaining (2?) chicks are ok.

Thanks. Like I said this is all my fault, I saw a little roof rat the other morning in the run (trying to get out quickly). The little rat wasn't a threat BUT I know that does attract snakes (they will pick up and follow rodent trails).

I feel so bad especially for Bella the hen. Fixing the run now, and also not going to depend on it at night, the chicken door will be firmly latched.

If this was a mammal I would open the large run and encourage my Anatolian to visit at night where he could circle the coop, he would keep raccoons, possums, fox, coyotes away. but he wouldn't be a defense against snakes, they are far to quiet.

Yes I only have 2 now. One little roo and a pullet (pullet was very weak/ill 3 days ago, she is much better now but still not 100%, so well....).

Thank you and also Farmer Viola for your kind words. I expected losses with the chicks but this hit me hard.

 

[16 paws]

Uhhh...just discovered there was a major disaster last night in the hen house. Younger broody is dead, 3 chicks are gone (dead too).

It had to be a snake, Bella the younger broody had not even one drop of blood on her but it was obvious the snake tried to swallow her head first and couldn't get past her shoulders. Also large swirl tracks in the PDZ under the perch where there should have been chicken prints.

Uh...this is my fault. I have chain link and hardwire around the "small run" that gets closed every night but I know I have seen a field rat in there eating chicken food. I am sure the snake picked up the scent of the rat and followed it to the tiny hole into the hardwired run, then discovered Bella and the chicks on the coop floor.

Sad day here.

Older Broody is obviously very upset this morning, she keeps "crowing" loudly and that is the first time I have ever heard her do that.

Sonya,
I am so sorry that happened. I wonder what kind of snake that was? Thats a terrible thing. I hate hate hate snakes.
Are the rest of the chicks ok?
Take care and dont blame yourself. These things just happen. We cant have fort knox. Its just not possible.

Marie

 

[Sonya9]

Sonya,
I am so sorry that happened. I wonder what kind of snake that was? Thats a terrible thing. I hate hate hate snakes.
Are the rest of the chicks ok?
Take care and dont blame yourself. These things just happen. We cant have fort knox. Its just not possible.

Marie

I am guessing it was probably a large rat snake. We have timber rattlers, copperheads and garters around here but this snake had to be medium sized based on how far it could open it's jaws. The fact it was able to get up on the 4.5' shelf under the perch is surprising though, I am guessing the snake was in the coop for a long time as getting on that shelf would not have been simple, it would have had to climb part of the wall to get to the ramp and up to that shelf.

I will admit I was a bit nervous, the coop has 4 inches of shavings on the floor, I took a broom and moved all of the shavings around to be sure the snake wasn't still in there, I was also hoping it was NOT a copperhead as I was wearing shorts, a rattler would be bad too but they aren't as aggressive and will always warn us if they can.

Sadly the girls were afraid to go into the coop last night, they were going to perch outside at dusk which is something they have NEVER done before. I got them in and one of the bantam hens was staring at the floor of the coop looking worried, the others wouldn't go near the perch where they always sleep. Sigh. Food was taken out of the run, chicken door locked, run locked, etc...

The last two chicks look fine, the other birds appear unhurt though today I noticed older broodies beautiful fan of tail feathers are all but gone so she must have gotten in a tussle with the predator too.

Thank you all for your support. Maybe this can serve as a warning to others, if mice/rats can get into the coop big trouble can soon follow.