Help, there's some blood

[Russo's Roost]

I am in central Vermont, 5 below last night. I have 6 chickens, all 32 weeks old. 1 Plymouth Rock Rooster, 2 hens and 3 golden comet hens. The temp in the coop got down to 20 last night, it's not drafty in there though. I have pine shavings and hay on the floor, about 2-4 inches. They eat blue seal HomeFresh layer feed, some scratch and I give them table scraps as a warm treat every night. There is a window close to teh floor they like to look out through, I noticed some blood on it this morning, I inspected all 6 and couldn't find any evidence of a wound and I am wondering if it could be respritory and they are coughing up blood. They are all laying fine and acting OK, other then not liking the cold weather, especially the rooster.
Does anyone have an idea about anything else I should be doing for them or any thoughts on where the blood can be coming from.

 

[Russo's Roost]

Also, 2 more questions.
1. Is it possible they chased and injured a mouse
2. I have read about puting vasaline on their combs to protect against frostbite, at what temperature should I do this?

 

[CityClucks]

Have you noticed them coughing? Was it blood droplets or a smear - might somecluck have wiped her bottom against the glass?

Yes, they might get a mouse. Vaseline on the comb and wattles can be applied at freezing temps - its effectiveness is under some dispute. Good luck!

 

[Russo's Roost]

Quote:
Thanks CityCluck, good question, it is actualy a little of each, droplets and smear but it is a little high up to be from a chicks butt, unless it is from the rooster as he mounts one of the hens. I see on another post where the vasaline is causing dirt and dust to stick to it so I may try a little if they will even let me apply it.
How is the effectiveness disputed, does it not protect against frostbite?
If one of them is coughing up blood what should I do?

 

[CityClucks]

Have you heard them coughing? If so, quarantine the coughing bird from the others. Then try using the Search bar up there on the right to type in symptoms and get ideas of what you're dealing with.

Vaseline on the comb may not prevent frostbite - some believe it depends on humidity in the coop as much as freezing temperatures. Here's some threads on the subject of frostbite.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=275982
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=274695
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=273551
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3324583