Hen with red/callused skin on her belly.?

[Al Capon]

First thing that came to mind for me was a roosting issue. When I had birds that would either lay on the ground or on a flat surface, like a box or shelf to sleep, my birds would get this rash (for lack of a better word for it). Sleeping in their urates and feces burns and irritates the skin, then feather plucking to get at the affected skin, and the whole thing spirals into a bald-bellied-bird. How's your roosting situation?

IMO, the roosting situation ought to be fine. 2x4 with wide edge up for them to sit on. Droppings fall a couple feet to the floor and get cleaned out regularly. Nothing for them to get dirty on. They only sleep in the coop, from daylight to sunset they're out rootin around in the yard.

Out of 7 birds, she seems to be the only one that has that problem. Makes me think it might be self induced a little bit.

 

[ChickNanny13]

It probably started from her plucking feathers when broody, then up on the roost. Coconut oil should help soften & heal.

 

[Al Capon]

Locally, this is the only one I could find, so I hope it will do.

At room temperature it's a solid, but it's supposed to melt at 75 degrees. So I guess I'll just rub a dab between my fingers and smear it on the bird, yes?

 

[ChickNanny13]

You can also put some in a micro wavetable dish, into the micro for a few seconds. Make sure it's not hot when applying.

 

[AmyJane725]

Locally, this is the only one I could find, so I hope it will do.

At room temperature it's a solid, but it's supposed to melt at 75 degrees. So I guess I'll just rub a dab between my fingers and smear it on the bird, yes?

It will melt at body temperature.

 

[Al Capon]

Coconut oil is pretty cool, a dab goes a long way. I've applied some every night before roost. Smear a dab on with a tongue depressor and it melts, goes everywhere it should. Skin is no worse for wear, might look a little less red. She has pin feathers coming in now so that will help cover her back up eventually. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[AmyJane725]

Coconut oil is pretty cool, a dab goes a long way. I've applied some every night before roost. Smear a dab on with a tongue depressor and it melts, goes everywhere it should. Skin is no worse for wear, might look a little less red. She has pin feathers coming in now so that will help cover her back up eventually. Thanks for the heads up.

You’re welcome. Glad she’s doing well.

 

[Kevin_87]

One of my hens has the same skin coloration, especially around the vent. She is loosing weight and feathers. She has been especially grouchy as of late. I have tried otc sprays, parasite meds and wormed her. Nothing has helped. None of the other girls are showing symptoms. She sleeps on a perch. I will add a picture tomorrow.

 

[Al Capon]

One of my hens has the same skin coloration, especially around the vent. She is loosing weight and feathers. She has been especially grouchy as of late. I have tried otc sprays, parasite meds and wormed her. Nothing has helped. None of the other girls are showing symptoms. She sleeps on a perch. I will add a picture tomorrow.

Half of my 7 are starting to molt right now so they look awful and are moody. The chicken in question was broody and pulled a lot of her breast feathers out to sit on eggs, plus, she was squatting down low to roost on a 2x4 which irritated the bare skin.

I put coconut oil on her a couple times a week for a few weeks. This kept the skin pliable until her feathers grew back in. She got over it in a hurry once I knocked the broodiness out of her.