Help!!!injured chicken just started blood!!!

[RAM1991]

Hi,so I am house sitting for a lady that has entirely way too many roosters and not nearly enough hens. All of the hens are bloody and raw so I built a "brood" pen and caught all that I could. The next day I went back and the hens had packed a hole into one of the others. Needless to say I took her home and doctored her and packed her wounds with antibiotics. I have been doing this for about two weeks and se eats and drinks normally. I just went to check on her and she has started pooping straight blood. I cannot afford another vet visit right now. What do I do?!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Wow, sorry you are facing this.

What is the age of these birds? Maybe putting them in a small enclosure was a good idea but bad reality... confinement and crowding can cause major problems. Now that hen that's separated will have a very hard time reintegrating as well.

Most common cause of blood poo... is coccidiosis... treated with Corid, in the cattle section of most feed stores. A drench to the beak if she isn't eating and drinking and severe outbreak dose in the water. No other water source should be available and vitamin supplements should be avoided during treatment.

It is usually caused by over crowding or droppings in the water.

Have you made contact with the person you are sitting for?

 

[RAM1991]

Hi there, welcome to BYC!

Wow, sorry you are facing this.

What is the age of these birds? Maybe putting them in a small enclosure was a good idea but bad reality... confinement and crowding can cause major problems. Now that hen that's separated will have a very hard time reintegrating as well.

Most common cause of blood poo... is coccidiosis... treated with Corid, in the cattle section of most feed stores. A drench to the beak if she isn't eating and drinking and severe outbreak dose in the water. No other water source should be available and vitamin supplements should be avoided during treatment.

It is usually caused by over crowding or droppings in the water.

Have you made contact with the person you are sitting for?

 

[RAM1991]

The enclosed wasn't small at all. It was about thirty foot by thirty foot and the height of the barn. She is grown but not sure how old. Laying age. This isn't blood in the stool like coccidia. It is straight fluid blood. I have no intentions of reintroducing her to the flock if she survives. I would call animal control on the lady because she doesn't take care of her animals but they don't do anything.

 

[ShannonR]

Sounds like you got yourself into a bad situation, which was made worse by trying to help. I dont have any suggestions but wanted to wish you luck!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

This isn't blood in the stool like coccidia. It is straight fluid blood.

Then maybe call a news station for a story and put public pressure on Animal control to take action??

Honestly, I've seen straight blood from coccidiosis before... and not even every time out of the same bird.. but what is her other behavior?

I would still treat with the Corid, as it won't hurt. Even though coccidiosis is not as common in older birds, it can still happen... especially under times of stress like what you have described. A fecal float could confirm... but that runs $18-25 at my vet.

Is she eating and drinking? If so, is it chicken feed or something else? Are you seeing any symptoms other than the bloody droppings?

 

[RAM1991]

Then maybe call a news station for a story and put public pressure on Animal control to take action??

Honestly, I've seen straight blood from coccidiosis before... and not even every time out of the same bird.. but what is her other behavior?

I would still treat with the Corid, as it won't hurt. Even though coccidiosis is not as common in older birds, it can still happen... especially under times of stress like what you have described. A fecal float could confirm... but that runs $18-25 at my vet.

Is she eating and drinking? If so, is it chicken feed or something else? Are you seeing any symptoms other than the bloody droppings?

She

 

[ShannonR]

What's this talk about animal control?
This is your neighbor, correct? What about being a good one to this person?

Your neighbor has trusted you with their birds and let you into their yard to care for them... that right there tells me the neighbor is concerned and cares for their birds at least reasonably well. They didn't take off on vacation and leave the birds without any care or anything. Why then, would you stab your neighbor in the back by calling Animal control? It doesn't matter if their care standards are not the same as your standards. Food, water, shelter. Sounds like the neighbor has the bases covered.

 

[RAM1991]

She is eating and drinking with no problem. All the other severely injured hens seem to be doing well in the pen

 

[RAM1991]

What's this talk about animal control?
This is your neighbor, correct? What about being a good one to this person?

Your neighbor has trusted you with their birds and let you into their yard to care for them... that right there tells me the neighbor is concerned and cares for their birds at least reasonably well. They didn't take off on vacation and leave the birds without any care or anything. Why then, would you stab your neighbor in the back by calling Animal control? It doesn't matter if their care standards are not the same as your standards. Food, water, shelter. Sounds like the neighbor has the bases covered.