Is it normal for a chicken’s vent to pulsate?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I have a Frizzle hen in my house because she is missing a ton of feathers and with the weather being unreliable I don’t want her getting chilled. So my mom has noticed that her vent pulsates almost like it’s breathing and she’s wondering if it’s normal.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a Frizzle hen in my house because she is missing a ton of feathers and with the weather being unreliable I don’t want her getting chilled. So my mom has noticed that her vent pulsates almost like it’s breathing and she’s wondering if it’s normal.

It can be. I see it more in hens that have an egg coming.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

It can be. I see it more in hens that have an egg coming.

Oh okay. Thank you

 

[CSAchook]

I have noticed this on my hens too. Particularly if I am holding them and looking around their vent for signs of parasites. I don't think it is cause for concern.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

I have noticed this on my hens too. Particularly if I am holding them and looking around their vent for signs of parasites. I don't think it is cause for concern.

I do recall noticing that when I would check for mites my chickens’ vents would pulsate. I never thought much of it but my mom wanted to know. Thanks for taking the time to reply.

 

[dunnmom]

Yeah, pulsating vents are normal from everything I've seen. Seen it on birds other than chickens too, having had much experience with large cage birds like parrots and macaws. Especially right after a poo or egg is laid. I treated one hen for a prolapse and it would pulsate after I put Prep H in her vent.

 

[aart]

So my mom has noticed that her vent pulsates almost like it’s breathing

Yes, vent will move in time with the birds breathing. They don't have a diaphragm to segregate the breathing motions from farther down the abdomen.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Yes, vent will move in time with the birds breathing. They don't have a diaphragm to segregate the breathing motions from farther down the abdomen.

Thank you for the info.

 

[Chickygirl63]

I wondered about that too... I noticed it when they were clucking / breathing