HELP Vent Problem

[simchooks]

Hi,

I have recently started keeping chickens. We got our girls 4 weeks ago and were told that they should start laying 4 weeks after we got them. We have not had any eggs yet, but today I noticed one of them has what looks like a prolapsed vent. She does not seem to be too bothered by it, but it looks bad to me and I'm not sure if it is egg related. Can anyone advise. Basically when she tries to poo, it looks like there is a red bulb shape sticking out (like the lining of her vent).

Any help welcome.

 

[LynneP]

Do you have any plain anusol or Preparation H? The kinds without added benzocaine? If so, you can put on a latex glove, coat the exposed part of the inner vent and gently work it back into position. It make take many tried because the tissue has to shrink first. I would isolate her for this, keep her close in a cage in a warm draft-free environment as the others may peck her injury.

 

[hinkjc]

Lynne gave you some great advice. I will add that you should either attempt repair or put the bird down. She will not survive very long with it hanging out exposed to air and dirt. In addition, if she's laying, you will want to discourage egg laying at this time. You can do this by putting her in a dimly lit area to shut off her lay cycle. Be sure she has free access to food/water to help her keep strength in healing. When you are pushing it back in, turn your hand palm upwards and use 1-2 fingers coated with Prep H to gently insert the tissue back into the vent. You will move in and upward gently, as the egg tract comes from the top.

 

[LynneP]

Yes, she needs segregation and a clean environment and hinkjc emphasizes. I see you added a pic but to be honest, I can't see a lot when I enlarge it. This is a very serious situation and unless you have a vet you need to get cracking with her or you will be forced into a situation where you will have to cull her.

 

[simchooks]

Thanks for the reply, I will treat her tomorrow. I'm surprised you can't make out the problem in the photo I added, it looks quite clear when I enlarge it. I will post another pic with a close-up.

 

[M@M@2four]

agree with all---separate her as the other chickens will peck at it and Prep H all the way!!! Good luck!

 

[simchooks]

Update:- This morning I managed (eventually) to bathe her in warm water and inspected the vent afterwards. It looked clean and healthy with no signs of yesterdays problem. I rubbed in some preperation-H just in case.

We also had our first egg this morning

(not sure if it came from her or one of the others), so I wonder if what I saw yesterday was due to a problem getting it out and hopefully now that it is out it will not re-occur. I will however be keeping a close eye on her.

Thanks to all for the advise.

 

[LynneP]

That was very fortunate! You did the right thing by following through with her. She's young and the tissues are elastic but laying eggs is not for the faint of heart! Watch her, and you know what to do.