My beautiful big white chicken was fine this morning and then this afternoon she was covered in blood. The rooster was removed a week ago, as I had a younger one coming through the ranks. She is a wonderfully docile hen who has always been friendly with all the flock and has a buddy which she looks after and spends time with. Her crop is all bloody and it looks like she could have lost her eyesight in one eye. Why is this happening. I am so sad and have never in all my years of having chickens seen this before. I have introduced and removed chickens in the past and never have I seen this type of horrible or wanton visciousness. Over the past 2 years I have had 7 chickens die (unknown causes) and am starting to wonder whether I should abandon having chickens. I have a 1/4 acre run for them, they are fed twice a day and have 5 clean water bowls spread throughout the enclosure. Any help appreciated. Linda from NZ.
Okay. First off, is the bird still alive? If so, will you please answer the questions below, just so other members and myself know what we're working with here? Secondly, keeping chickens isn't for everyone. But when you work with farm yard animals, you have to understand that random losses and illnesses are common, and they will happen. It is by no means a reason to stop raising birds. And on a side note: The questions I mentioned above: 1) What type of bird , age and weight (does the chicken seem or feel lighter or thinner than the others.) 2) What is the behavior, exactly. 3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? 4) Are other birds exhibiting the same symptoms? 5) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. 6) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. 7) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. 8) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. 9) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? 10 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? 11) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. 12) Describe the housing/bedding in use
Is there any possibility that the young rooster is causing the problems? The older flock rooster may have been keeping him under control.
