Intestines eaten through the vent

[BrennaM]

I've lost 5 hens now by major internal bleeding. They all have the same cause, bloody eaten vent and intestines eaten, a couple have had an egg cracked in there as well. I'm at a total loss trying to figure out what is going on, no sign of predator entry in the cage. Does anyone know what would do this?

 

[nuthatched]

I'm sorry you're loosing hens.
What's their set up like?
Where are you located?
It could be rats, possums or other chickens?

 

[BrennaM]

I'm sorry you're loosing hens.
What's their set up like?
Where are you located?
It could be rats, possums or other chickens?

Dog kennel cage wrapped with chicken wire, I'm in central florida. I looked it up and it said weasels can do it, but I guess they're a bit rare here so I'm not sure if thats it. My other thought is cannibalism.

 

[GoosesGeeses]

If the cage is too small and they don't have enough room they might start picking at one another? Do you have a of your coop?

 

[nuthatched]

Dog kennel cage wrapped with chicken wire, I'm in central florida. I looked it up and it said weasels can do it, but I guess they're a bit rare here so I'm not sure if thats it. My other thought is cannibalism.

Rat is more likely, though how big is the area for how many birds? Diet? Highly stressed birds cannibalize, unfortunately .

 

[Tahai]

also, take the chicken wire off and wrap it in 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, not for keeping predators out.

 

[BrennaM]

I think its actually a raccoon or possum, it took a goose sometime last night. I'm setting a trap and leaving the dogs out.

 

[TOR]

set up a game camera

 

[Al Gerhart]

Unless you have left a big opening for a coon, it is more likely either rats or the chickens pecking at each other's vent. Once the blood starts to flow the hen is doomed, the others will continue to attack the bloody spot and eviscerate her in a few hours. Any sign of pecking, hit the vent with some old fashioned blue vet spray to cover up the red.