Help with growth under vent

[brent769]

Hi All,
Been lurking since I got my 4 Red Sex Linked chickens about 1.5 years ago. Chickens are just under 2 years old at this point.
I noticed the other morning that there is a growth of some sort under one of my hen's vent. Thought it was poop that was just frozen on but when I tried to remove I wasn't able to. I've isolated her from the others and gave her an epsom salt bath. Pat dry and applied Dust On powder. Not really sure what else I can do at this point. Hen is acting normal as well. Wouldn't know anything is wrong other than taking a look at her behind. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. In Ontario Canada with temps currently around -20 C.
-Brent

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. It looks like it might be a tumor.

 

[brent769]

Thanks. I was afraid of something like this. At least it isn't some parasite that can infect my other hens. So far she's acting normal.
Much appreciated.
-Brent

 

[LaFleche]

Hi Brent, and welcome to BYC

Does this groth come out of her vent or is it really situated underneath and her vent intact? Does she still lay eggs?
If coming out of her vent this might be a necrotic prolapse.

 

[brent769]

Hi LaFleche,
Yes, the growth is under the vent. The last two days she hasn't laid any eggs. Prior to that she was with the other 3 birds and I can't remember if I've been getting 4 or 3 eggs a day
Thanks for the reply. I think it might be something like this, just on a smaller scale.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-black-growth-on-bottom-under-vent.1221868/
Thankfully she doesn't appear to be in any pain right now.
-Brent

 

[brent769]

Hi All,
I wanted to give an update in case anyone else runs into this in the future. After alot of research it looks like it was vent gleet. The symptoms were posted in the original post but I'll add that she had a milky like discharge. I kept her separate from the other chickens and gave a few epsom salt baths. The growth did eventually cover the vent. I then gave another warm bath with the salt and then gently took off the crust/scab of the growth (sounds gross, it was - gloves were worn for sure). The hen had no issues with me doing this. I picked up some Vetericyn and sprayed her after the bath (and pat down dry). Didn't notice much of a change, so I applied Canesten topical cream - picked up from Walmart. That was the game changer. I applied it 3 times total (epsom salt bath, dry first), and she is fine now... well re-introducing her to the other 3 hens has been a bit of a challenge.
During this whole ordeal the hen appeared unfazed and was acting as usual, aside from not laying eggs. At no time did she appear to be in any pain.
Her vent area looks great now. No eggs yet though. We inspect her every day and so far so good.
Hope this helps down the road.
-Brent

 

[casportpony]

Thanks for the update and glad she is better. Can you post some pictures of how her vent looks now?

 

[LaFleche]

Hi LaFleche,
Yes, the growth is under the vent. The last two days she hasn't laid any eggs. Prior to that she was with the other 3 birds and I can't remember if I've been getting 4 or 3 eggs a day
Thanks for the reply. I think it might be something like this, just on a smaller scale.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-black-growth-on-bottom-under-vent.1221868/
Thankfully she doesn't appear to be in any pain right now.
-Brent

Sorry for not replying sooner, but I did not get notice of your answer/post. Sometimes the BYC notification system does not seem to work right.

I am glad that she recovered, thank you for the update!