Injured hen, could it be from mating? pics

[LizzieMac]

Here is a picture of what my dominate hen looks like under her wings and on her chest and belly- I dont know what happened but I am guessing it may have to do with the Roo- She is also limping badly. I would blame this on the other hens, except she is the dominate on and knows how to fend for herself.

I rather mad at this, if it is from my big ole stupid roo- I have 5 other much bigger hens but she is the oldest and he always follows her. If he is hurting he I so want him gone.

What do you all think? could this be from a rooster mounting her?

 

[RedPyleLady]

im no vet but i wouldnt worry about it unless blood is drawn, if its under he wings chest and belly i dont think a rooster would have caused it but it might be beneficial to sneek up and just watch them for a few minutes and see. As for the limping, I dont know what that could be, maybe check her feet and between her toes for any kind of thistle or something that could have gotten stuck? I hope she gets better!

 

[LizzieMac]

Thanks! I have been observing them today- noticed nothing in particular. Wondering if it is happening at night with the other hens. None of the other hens look like this. I will check her foot though.

 

[hangartnerchix]

Could there be a pest or predator in the roost at night? The injuries you are describing all seem to be from something getting at her from underneath. Are there lots of her feathers under her roosting spot?

 

[galanie]

That sure sounds like she fought something off. Being the dominate hen, it could well be though you'd expect the rooster to do that if you have one. Doesn't sound like rooster damage at all though especially with the limping.

 

[LizzieMac]

Could there be a pest or predator in the roost at night? The injuries you are describing all seem to be from something getting at her from underneath. Are there lots of her feathers under her roosting spot?

I was rather thinking it was from something underneath her as well, like one of the other chickens but where she roosts nor the coop do not have any of her feathers as if something happened at night. I observed them last night and they don't seem to harm one another or bother each other while roosting- I shut the gate on the coop at night-so no predators will get to them.

 

[LizzieMac]

That sure sounds like she fought something off. Being the dominate hen, it could well be though you'd expect the rooster to do that if you have one. Doesn't sound like rooster damage at all though especially with the limping.

It sure does! I am going to look around the yard and see if there are any of her feathers in one spot.

The day before yesterday I heard quite a ruckus outside as if one of the hens (perhaps her) was being harmed. I ran outside and could not see anything at that time- we do have a lot of cats in the area but one has never came in the yard before.

She is still limping to day but eating heartily as ever. Not as dominating though. It sure is a mystery, I wish I knew what happened.

 

[jhamblin]

Is she molting?

 

[jhamblin]

http://gsoedibleschoolyard.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/fast-molting-hen.jpg

 

[LizzieMac]

Wow, that's a good question? She does look rather ratty--but dont know why she is limping..

But the molting thing, I definitely need to look into!